Digital eyewear system and method for the treatment and prevention of migraines and photophobia

ABSTRACT

Digital eyewear for monitoring, detecting, and predicting, preventing, treating, and training patients to conduct self-care, of migraines/photophobia in real-time. Digital eyewear for similar activity, with respect to negative visual effects, such as from changes in lighting conditions. Digital eyewear maintains information about progress of migraines/photophobia for each patient individually and collectively. Digital eyewear determines whether migraines/photophobia are likely or occurring. Digital eyewear ameliorates and treats migraines/photophobia. Digital eyewear trains the patient to self-care re migraines/photophobia. Digital eyewear receives information from patient and ambient sensors, maintains history of migraines/photophobia and amelioration/treatment, and determines correlations. Patient sensors receive information about patient status. Ambient sensors receive information about ambient environment near the patient. Digital eyewear presents augmented reality and sensory inputs to ameliorate/treat migraines/photophobia, and rewards improvements in self-care. Digital eyewear communicates with remotely maintained and updated data repositories and remote treatment servers, and in coordination with other instances of digital eyewear.

INCORPORATED DISCLOSURES Priority Claim

This Application is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.13/841,550, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and claims priority to that filingdate.

OTHER DOCUMENTS

This Application describes technologies that can be used withinventions, and other technologies, described in one or more of thefollowing documents. These documents are sometimes referred to herein asthe “Incorporated Disclosures,” the “Incorporated Documents,” orvariants thereof. Each and every one of these documents, as well as alldocuments cited therein, are hereby incorporated by reference as iffully recited herein.

US 2013/0242262 A1, filed Mar. 15, 2013, in the name of inventor ScottLEWIS, titled “Enhanced Optical and Perceptual Digital Eyewear”,published Sep. 19, 2013, and all documents which that documentincorporates by reference, and all applications from which that documentclaims priority.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,927 B1, filed Aug. 12, 2013, in the name of inventorScott LEWIS, titled “Enhanced Optical and Perceptual Digital Eyewear”,application Ser. No. 13/965,050, and all documents which that documentincorporates by reference, and all applications from which that documentclaims priority.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,928 B1, filed Aug. 12, 2013, in the name of inventorScott LEWIS, titled “Enhanced Optical and Perceptual Digital Eyewear”,application Ser. No. 13/965,065, and all documents which that documentincorporates by reference, and all applications from which that documentclaims priority.

U.S. application Ser. No. 15/460,197, filed Mar. 15, 2017, in the nameof inventor Scott LEWIS, titled “Digital Eyewear Augmenting Wearer'sInteraction with their Environment”, unpublished, and all documentswhich that document incorporates by reference, and all applications fromwhich that document claims priority.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

This Application generally describes digital eyewear disposed for usewith techniques relating to migraines. For example, this Applicationincludes using devices coupled to a patient's senses, and to an ambientenvironment, to monitor, detect, predict, prevent, and treat migraines,and to train patients to conduct self-care with respect to migraines.This Application also includes other and further techniques.

Related Art

Migraines are a debilitating condition that is remarkably prevalent,affecting an estimated 58 million persons in the United States, and anestimated one billion persons worldwide. Migraines affect about 18% ofadult women, 6% of adult men, and 10% of children, and are estimated toaffect at least one person in about 25% of households. While mostpatients' migraine attacks generally occur once or twice per month, somepatients suffer from chronic migraines, which can occur 15 or more timesper month. About 85% of chronic migraine patients are women.

Public health costs are significant, and can include lost productivity,medical costs, emotional distress, family disturbance, and medicationoveruse. Annual healthcare and lost productivity costs are estimated at$36 billion, in 2016 US dollars. Migraine patients suffer severelyreduced quality of life, substantially higher healthcare costs, limitedaccess to quality healthcare, and are at risk for other physical andpsychiatric conditions—such as chronic anxiety, clinical depression, andsleep disorders.

Migraine Symptoms

Migraine symptoms can be severely debilitating, with more than 90% ofaffected persons unable to work or to function normally during amigraine attack. Migraines can include severe throbbing and reoccurringheadache pain (usually on only one side of the head, in contrast withstress headaches). Migraine attacks can last between about 4-72 hours,and typically include pain so severe that the patient is effectivelydisabled for the duration. In about 15-20% of migraines, patients cannotice, for as much as 1-2 days before migraine onset (in a “prodome”portion of a migraine attack), other effects such as constipation, moodchanges ranging from depression to euphoria, food cravings, neckstiffness, increased thirst or urination, and frequent yawning.

Migraines can also include incapacitating neurological symptoms,including: visual disturbances, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, extremesensitivity to senses (including sight, sound, and smell), and tinglingor numbness in extremities or the face. About 25% of migraine attackscan include an “aura,” a term for a set of nervous system symptoms, suchas: visual and tactile hallucinations, loss of sensory acuity, and lossof physical bodily control (including limb weakness). Visual symptomscan include flashes of light, wavy zigzag vision, blind spots, andshimmering spots or “stars”. Motor and tactile symptoms can includesensations of pins and needles, asymmetric weakness or numbness,difficulty speaking, tinnitus, and uncontrollable jerking or othermovement.

Even after a migraine attack, patients may be affected by unwarrantedemotions, such as feeling drained or washed out, or unexpected elation.For about 24 hours thereafter (in a “postdrome” portion of a migraineattack), many patients can experience other effects, including:confusion, moodiness, dizziness, weakness, and sensitivity to light orsound.

Migraines Poorly Understood

Migraines are a poorly understood condition. Some researchers believethat migraines can be caused by neural changes in the brain, byimbalances in brain chemistry: such as an imbalance of serotonin orother neurotransmitters. Some research has shown that women's hormonalchanges, such as in a monthly cycle, can trigger a migraine attack, ascan certain foods (or lack thereof, e.g., skipping meals or fasting),food additives (e.g., monosodium glutamate), drinks (e.g., wine, otheralcohol, caffeine), bright lights, sun glare, loud sounds, strongsmells, sleep pattern changes, intense physical exertion, changes inweather (e.g., barometric pressure), certain medications (e.g., oralcontraceptives, vasodilators), emotional stress, and other unknownfactors. Some research has shown that migraines are a relativelyheritable condition, are typically most common from ages 25-55, andaffect adult women about three times as frequently as adult men.

Migraines are also associated with relatively rare, but seriousconditions. “Retinal migraines” can occur in migraine patients, and caninclude repeated relatively short bouts of diminished vision ortemporary blindness. Retinal migraines affect only one eye, not both;however, loss of vision in a single eye can be caused by other, moreserious conditions, and can require medical intervention by aspecialist. “Serotonin syndrome” can occur when the brain has much moreserotonin than warranted; serotonin syndrome is potentiallylife-threatening, and can require rapid medical intervention by aspecialist. Migraines can also be associated or combined with stroke,internal bleeding in the brain, and other neural infarction.

Known Migraine Treatments

Known treatments include medication for pain relief, and othermedication intended to be preventative. Known pain relief medicationsinclude: aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, which are commonly usedfor other types of headache. These are sometimes combined with caffeinefor mild migraine attacks. Other pain relief medications include:triptans, ergots, anti-nausea medications, opiods, and glucocorticoids.Some of these pain relief medications are also used for theirpsychoactive effect, and are known to sometimes have significant sideeffects. Known preventative medications include cardiovascularmedication (e.g., beta blockers, also used to treat high bloodpressure), antidepressants, anti-seizure medication, and botoxin;certain pain relievers, e.g., naproxen, appear to help prevent migrainesand reduce their symptoms.

Nontraditional therapy, such as “alternative medicine,” have sometimesbeen suggested for patients with chronic migraines. Some researchersrecommend that patients try one or more of: acupuncture, biofeedback(e.g., relaxation of muscle tension), massage therapy, or cognitivebehavioral therapy (e.g., management of how patients perceive pain).There is also some evidence that certain herbs (e.g., feverfew,butterbur) may help prevent migraines or reduce their severity, butstudy results have been mixed. Similar possibilities have been raisedfor relatively high dosages of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), for coenzyme Q10supplements, and for magnesium supplements. However, these alternativetreatments do not have any known mechanism reported in the scientificliterature.

Some known self-care measures are believed to help alleviate pain due tomigraine attacks: muscle relaxation exercises (such as progressivemuscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga), consistent and adequate sleep,relaxation (esp. in a quiet unlit room, with application of ice andgentle pressure), and maintaining a “headache diary” to become aware oflikely migraine triggers. Similarly, some known self-care measures arebelieved to help prevent migraine attacks: desensitization to knownmigraine triggers, a consistent daily schedule, regular exercise,reduced use of estrogen (e.g., as used in birth control pills andhormone replacement therapy). Also, a device (“Cefaly”) that performstranscutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation (t-SNS) has recently beenapproved by the FDA as a preventative therapy for migraines; researchappears to show that this device can help prevent migraine attacks.

When patients are in the midst of a migraine attack, they can be subjectto debilitation that disables them from seeking rapid medical treatment.Known medical treatment of migraine attacks as they are in progresstypically has only limited effectiveness. The known art with respect tomigraines is that they are poorly understood and that medical treatmentis often superficial. One consequence is that, in the known art,migraines are a condition that is little understood and not veryeffectively treated.

Photophobia

One trigger of migraines includes photophobia, such as an abnormalsensitivity to or intolerance of light, especially by the eyes.Photophobia can be triggered by overstimulation of the retina, such asby excessive luminosity or excessive of luminosity of selectedfrequencies (such as blue light), excessive stimulus of the optic nerve,and excessive stimulus of brain. Photophobia can even affect the blind.Various causes of photophobia exist throughout the optic system. Inaddition to possibly triggering (or being triggered by) migraines,photophobia also affects millions of people who otherwise suffer fromsubstantially high sensitivity to light. This can induce symptoms (inaddition to migraine symptoms) including severe eye pain, pressureheadaches (in addition to and separate from migraine headaches), anddegradation of perceptive abilities. Photophobia can itself bedebilitating even when it does not also trigger migraines, and isresponsible for severe pain, loss of productivity, and reduced qualityof life for patients.

One occasional cause of photophobia is failures of photosensitiveretinal cells, such as intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglioncells (ipRGCs). These photoreceptor cells are sensitive to adequateamounts of photopigments, including melanopsin, rhodopsin, andphotopsin. Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells do notcontribute to image formation in the eye, on the retina, or in thebrain, but do contribute to the brain's recognition of light levels,such as in the regulation of circadian rhythm. Failure of the eye tocontain adequate amounts of melanopsin, rhodopsin, or photopsin, canlead to clinical disorders, including “seasonal affective disorder”(SAD). It can also lead to excessive sensitivity to light, especiallyblue light and ultraviolet light. It is believed that once intrinsicallyphotosensitive retinal ganglion cells are triggered, they are very slowto return to their un-triggered state, resulting in a sensation ofbrightness that can cause trouble to those who are sensitive thereto.For example, connections between these sets of light-sensitive cells andthe trigeminal system in the brain, particularly in deep brain centers,can cause pain in those who are sensitive thereto. This model oflight-sensitivity can explain why the blind can still sense pain fromexcessive blue light or excessive ultraviolet light.

Neuro-Opthalmic Disorders

Migraines are photophobia are particular instances of a class ofneuro-opthalmic disorders, described herein as diseases/syndromes inwhich patients are excessively sensitive to certain physical stimuli,including audio/visual and other sensory stimuli. For example, unusualsensitivity to excessive luminosity (even if only excessive in aselected range of frequencies, such as blue or ultraviolet light) cantrigger symptoms that are temporarily disabling. These symptoms can beas serious as migraines, photophobia, or related disorders. They caninclude severe eye pain (even for the blind), migraine headaches,pressure headaches, degraded ability to use perceptive senses or motorskills, loss of productivity, and reduced quality of life. When combinedwith dangerous instrumentalities, such as driving an automobile, oroperating heavy machinery or machine tools, negative results can includeinjury or death.

Each of these issues, as well as other possible considerations, cancause difficulty for patients, particularly during migraine onset ormigraine events, symptoms of photophobia, and other neuro-opthalmicdisorders. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide relief forpatients who are subject to migraines, photophobia, neuro-opthalmicdisorders, or any combination thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This summary of the disclosure is provided as a convenience to thereader, and does not limit or restrict the scope of the disclosure orthe invention. This summary is intended as an introduction to moredetailed description found in this Application, and as an overview ofnew techniques introduced and explained in this Application. In thisApplication, the techniques described have applicability in other fieldsand far beyond the embodiments specifically reviewed in detail.

This Application provides techniques for monitoring, detecting, andpredicting migraine onset and migraine events (collectively “migraines”or “migraine activity”), for preventing migraines, for treatingmigraines (such as in real time), and for training patients to conductself-care with respect to migraines. This Application providestechniques for monitoring, detecting, predicting, preventing, andtreating effects of photophobia, and for training patients to conductself-care with respect to photophobia (and for combinations of migrainesand photophobia). The digital eyewear can maintain information about theprogress of migraine onset and migraine events, photophobia effects, andcombinations thereof, for each patient individually (and for a set ofpatients collectively). The digital eyewear can use that information todetermine (with or without patient assistance) whether migraine activityor photophobia effects are occurring, or are likely to occur near-term.The digital eyewear can conduct actions that are predicted to ameliorateor treat migraines, photophobia, and combinations thereof. The digitaleyewear can train the patient (such as using a reward procedure) toconduct self-care (such as those patient actions beyond the scope of thedigital eyewear) that can ameliorate or treat migraines, photophobia,and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, apparatus including digital eyewear is disposed toreceive information from patient sensors and ambient sensors, tomaintain a history of patient migraine/photophobia activity and anyameliorative or treatment activity, to determine one or morecorrelations (such as between those sensors and migraines), to treatmigraines/photophobia, and to conduct patient training (such as inresponse to those sensors and those correlations). For example, thepatient sensors can include devices coupled to the patient, and disposedto receive information about the status of the patient. For example, theambient sensors can include devices coupled to an ambient environmentnear or coupled to the patient, and disposed to receive informationabout the status of that ambient environment.

For example, the digital eyewear can receive information from patientswith respect to migraine onset and migraine activity, with respect tophotophobia effects, and with respect to combinations thereof, canpresent augmented reality views to ameliorate or treatmigraines/photophobia, can present sensory inputs to ameliorate or treatmigraines/photophobia, and can reward patients for improvements inself-care with respect to migraines/photophobia. For another example,the digital eyewear can perform these and other procedures formigraines/photophobia in real-time. For another example, the digitaleyewear can perform these and other procedures for migraines/photophobiain response to a collective database, such as a collective database thatis remotely maintained and is updated with respect to patientinformation with respect to migraines/photophobia. For another example,the digital eyewear can perform these and other procedures incoordination with other instances of digital eyewear, such as forexample coordinating action to ameliorate or treat migraines/photophobiain response to nearby patients and their migraine/photophobia activity(whether self-reported or detected by their own digital eyewear).

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear can determine whether the patientis undergoing migraine onset or migraine events, or photophobia effects,or combinations thereof, such as in response to the patient sensors andthe ambient sensors, and such as in response to a record of earliermigraine/photophobia activity (whether migraine onset or migraineevents, photophobia effects, or combinations thereof). For example, thedigital eyewear can detect migraines/photophobia in response to inputsfrom the patient with respect to one or more aspects regarded asrelevant to migraine onset or migraine events, photophobia, orcombinations thereof. For another example, the digital eyewear candetect migraines/photophobia in response to the patient sensors, whichcan themselves indicate information about the patient that the digitaleyewear can process.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear can predict migraine/photophobiaactivity, including determining the patient's current likelihood ofsusceptibility to migraine onset or migraine events, photophobia, orcombinations thereof, such as in response to the patient sensors and theambient sensors, and in response to a record of earliermigraine/photophobia activity (whether specific to migraine onset ormigraine events, photophobia, or combinations thereof). For example, thedigital eyewear can maintain a set of correlations between patientsensors and ambient sensors, as a first value, and likelihood ofmigraine/photophobia activity, as a second value. The set ofcorrelations can be responsive to information loaded from medicaldatabases, whether directly coupled or logically remote from the digitaleyewear. The set of correlations can also be responsive to informationlearned from a history of patient activity. For another example, thedigital eyewear can conduct a machine learning technique, which can leadto a set of information or procedures that help with predictingmigraine/photophobia activity. In such cases, the machine learning canoperate either unsupervised, as when the digital eyewear determines whenmigraine/photophobia activity occurs and learns to predict thoseoccurrences, or supervised, as when the digital eyewear obtainsinformation from the patient re when migraine/photophobia activityoccurs and learns to predict those occurrences.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear can prevent migraine onset ormigraine events, photophobia effects, or combinations thereof, (a) suchas by altering one or more inputs to the patient's eyes, ears, and othersensory abilities, or (b) such as by altering one or more aspects of theambient environment. For example, the digital eyewear can be disposed toalter an augmented reality (AR) view presented to the patient, with theeffect that the AR view is less likely to trigger migraine onset ormigraine events, photophobia effects, or combinations thereof. Forexample, the digital eyewear can be disposed to reduce light intensityor reduce light intensity in certain frequency ranges, reduce glare,remove undesired visual frequencies, add desired visual frequencies,reduce complexity of the AR view, reduce activity in the AR view,introduce calming elements in the AR view or reduce frequency oftransitions or flashing in the AR view, reduce auditory noise, removeundesired auditory frequencies, add desired auditory frequencies, orotherwise modify effects on the patient from sensory inputs, in one ormore ways believed to be at least partially effective in amelioratingmigraine/photophobia effects. For another example, the digital eyewearcan be disposed to alter one or more localized effects, such astemperature, humidity, allergen or pollutant levels, oxygenation for thepatient's breathing, or other ambient environmental effects. For anotherexample, the digital eyewear can be disposed to medicate the patient,such as with prescription medication (e.g., sedatives) ornon-prescription medication (e.g., antihistamines).

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear can ameliorate or treat migraineonset or migraine events, photophobia effects, or combinations thereof,similar to preventing migraine onset or migraine events, photophobiaeffects, or combinations thereof. The digital eyewear can be disposed tomeasure a severity of the migraine/photophobia effects, and possibly tocommunicate the migraine/photophobia event to medical personnel.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear can be disposed to train thepatient to conduct self-care that can ameliorate or treatmigraines/photophobia. For example, the digital eyewear can be disposedto alert the patient when the digital eyewear determines that thelikelihood of migraine/photophobia activity is relatively high, oralternatively, substantially higher than normal, and can suggest actionsto the patient that can reduce that likelihood. In one such case, whenthe patient is emotionally upset, and when this is correlated with ahigher likelihood of migraine activity, the digital eyewear can alertthe patient and suggest that the patient disengage from the emotionallyupsetting environment, relax, engage in meditation, take a nap, use amild sedative, or contact a friend for support. In another such case,when the patient is watching a video image that has excessive flashingor transitions, or is excessively bright, or is excessively bright incertain frequency ranges, the digital eyewear can alert the patient andsuggest that the patient disengage from the video image. For anotherexample, the digital eyewear can be disposed to reward the patient forresponding to the alert or to the reason for the higher likelihood ofmigraine activity, with the effect that the patient can learn to respondthereto before the likelihood of migraine activity becomes excessive.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear can be disposed to monitor,detect, and predict negative visual effects due to changes in lightingconditions, to prevent changes in lighting conditions from causingnegative visual effects, and for treating negative visual effects causedby changes in lighting conditions, also in real-time. The digitaleyewear can maintain information about changes in lighting conditions,for each patient individually and collectively. The digital eyewear candetermine whether changes in lighting conditions, are likely oroccurring, and whether consequent negative visual effects are likely oroccurring. The digital eyewear can take action to ameliorate anynegative visual effects from changes in lighting conditions. Asdescribed herein, changes in lighting conditions can include excessiveor inadequate light, excessive or inadequate light in a selectedfrequency range (such as blue light, ultraviolet light, green light,other colors, or improper color balance or mixture), excessive orinadequate light incoming to the patient's eye from a selected direction(such as a peripheral vision direction), or in response to glare orreflection.

This Application also describes use of digital eyewear with other andfurther techniques with respect to migraines, photophobia, and otherneuro-opthalmic disorders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the figures, like references generally indicate similar elements,although this is not strictly required.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual drawing of a system including digital eyewear.

FIG. 2 (collectively including panels A, B, C, D, and E) shows aconceptual drawing of some alternative embodiments of the digitaleyewear.

FIG. 3 shows a conceptual drawing of a system including digital eyewearwith controllable lenses.

FIG. 4 shows a conceptual drawing of a system including digital eyewearcommunication.

FIG. 5 shows a conceptual drawing of a method including operation ofdigital eyewear.

FIG. 6 shows a conceptual drawing of digital eyewear used with augmentedand virtual reality.

FIG. 7 shows a conceptual drawing of a method including using digitaleyewear with augmented and virtual reality.

After reading this Application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat the figures are not necessarily (1) drawn to scale forconstruction, or (2) specify any particular location or order ofconstruction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Terms and Phrases

The phrase “digital eyewear”, and variants thereof, generally refers toany device coupled to a wearer's input senses, including withoutlimitation: glasses (such as those including lens frames and lenses),contact lenses (such as so-called “hard” and “soft” contact lensesapplied to the surface of the eye, as well as lenses implanted in theeye), retinal image displays (RID), laser and other external lightingimages, “heads-up” displays (HUD), holographic displays, electro-opticalstimulation, artificial vision induced using other senses, transfer ofbrain signals or other neural signals, headphones and other auditorystimulation, bone conductive stimulation, wearable and implantabledevices, and other devices disposed to influence (or be influenced by)the wearer.

The terms and phrases “migraine”, “migraine activity”, and variantsthereof, generally refers to any one or more portions of the cluster ofsymptoms associated with migraines, including the “prodome”, “attack”,“aura”, and “postdrome” portions of migraine events, as well as effectsassociated with migraines. These terms and phrases also include pain,“retinal migraines”, “stars”, visual debilitation, inappropriateemotional stimuli, reduced quality of life, and other effects associatedwith migraines, whether chronic or otherwise.

The phrase “neuro-opthalmic disorder”, and variants thereof, generallyrefers any one or more disorders responsive to audio/visual or othersensory input, and having an effect on perceptive or sensory systems,focus or motor systems, cortical or other thinking systems, or otherbrain or brain-related systems. For example, as used herein,neuro-opthalmic disorders can include migraines, photophobia, andrelated syndromes, whether chronic or otherwise.

The term “photophobia”, and variants thereof, generally refers to anyabnormal or excessive sensitivity to or intolerance of light, especiallyby the eyes. Photophobia and related effects, as described herein, mightbe caused by eye inflammation, lack of pigmentation (or loss ofpigmentation) in the iris, one or more diseases/syndromes or injuries,or other factors within or without the control of a patient.

The phrase “negative visual effect”, and variants thereof, generallyrefers to any difficulty in sight or vision of a patient, such as thosethat might occur in response to excessive or inadequate light, excessiveor inadequate light in a selected frequency range (such as blue light,ultraviolet light, green light, other colors, or improper color balanceor mixture), excessive or inadequate light incoming to the patient's eyefrom a selected direction (such as a peripheral vision direction), or inresponse to glare or reflection.

The term “peripheral vision”, and variants thereof, generally refers toany portion of sight or vision not directed to a region of the retina inprimary focus, or incoming light from a direction not in primary focus.Peripheral vision can include regions to a side of where the patient isdirecting their focus (sometimes referred to herein as “side to side”peripheral vision), regions higher or lower than where the patient isdirecting their focus (sometimes referred to herein as “up/down”peripheral vision), or otherwise.

The terms “correlation”, “better correlation nature”, “better evaluationvalue”, and variants thereof, generally refer to any significantrelationship between a first set of values and a second set of values.For example, the term “correlation,” when used with respect toconditions that can trigger a patient migraine or photophobia effect,generally refers to any detectable conditions with any substantialrelationship to likelihood of triggering a patient migraine orphotophobia effect. For another example, “better correlation nature,”when used with respect to a method for detecting conditions likely totrigger a patient migraine or photophobia effect, generally refers toany new set of variables or weights, or technique for detection usedtherewith, having a superior measure of detecting those conditions.Superior measures can include greater accuracy, greater precision oftiming, fewer false positives or false negatives, or other statisticalmeasures.

The terms “evaluation”, “better evaluation nature”, “better evaluationvalue”, and variants thereof, generally refer to any significantrelationship between a measurement (or predicted measurement, when theevaluation is a prediction or a predicted evaluation) and an actualdegree exhibited by a real-world effect. For example, the term“evaluation,” when used with respect to a severity of a patient migraineor photophobia effect, generally refers to any measurement of severity(or optionally, duration) of symptoms affecting the patient. For anotherexample, “better evaluation nature,” when used with respect to a methodfor detecting patient migraines or photophobia effects, generally refersto any new set of variables or weights, or technique for detection usedtherewith, having a superior measure of evaluating (or predicting) aseverity or duration of those conditions.

The terms “predictive”, “better predictive nature”, “better predictivevalue”, and variants thereof, generally refer to any significantrelationship between a measurement to be made in the future, and anactual value of that measurement when it is eventually made. Forexample, the term “predictive,” when used with respect to a severity ofa patient migraine or photophobia effect, generally refers to any futuremeasurement of severity (or optionally, duration) of symptoms affectingthe patient. For another example, “better predictive value,” when usedwith respect to a method for detecting patient migraines or photophobiaeffects, generally refers to any new set of variables or weights, ortechnique for detection used therewith, having a superior measure ofpredicting a severity or duration of those conditions.

The term “better treatment value”, and variants thereof, generallyrefers to any significant relationship between set of variables orweights, or technique for detection used therewith, and a superiormeasure of reducing a severity or duration of patient conditions. Forexample, “better treatment value,” when used with respect to a methodfor detecting patient migraines or photophobia effects, generally refersto any new set of variables or weights, or technique for detection usedtherewith, having a superior measure of reducing a severity or durationof those conditions.

The term “patient condition”, and variants thereof, generally refers toany condition, or measure thereof, detectable by patient sensors,patient self-reports, or observation of the patient. For example,patient conditions can include patient eye activity, patient head orbody movement, patient speech/vocalization, patient migraine/photophobiadiary entries, observations of patients by medical personnel oremergency responders, and otherwise.

The terms “augmented reality”, “augmented reality view”, “AR”, “ARview”, and variants thereof, generally refer to any alteration ofpatient sensory inputs. For example, an “augmented reality view” canrefer to an external reality view that has been adjusted byshading/inverse-shading with respect to light intensity or audiointensity (whether for a broad spectrum or limited to selectedfrequencies), such as by removing excessive glare or other impairmentsto visual acuity. For another example, an “augmented reality view” canrefer to an external reality view that has been adjusted byinserting/removing selected images not located (or not located in thesame place or time) in the external reality view, such as by insertingtext, icons, or chyrons having information for the patient, or such asby moving elements of the external reality view within the patient'spoint of view, to improve visual acuity. For another example, an“augmented reality view” can refer to a view presented to the patientthat has little or nothing to do with an external reality view, and isgenerated for use by the patient without necessarily referencingexternal reality, such as a meditative environment or other set ofperceptual inputs deemed good for the patient at that moment, or such asa set of perceptual inputs deemed useful for determining the patient'srelative susceptibility to migraine/photophobia from a selectedperceptual effect.

The term “external reality view”, and variants thereof, generally refersto any collection of patient sensory inputs substantially dictated byforces external to the digital eyewear. For example, an “externalreality view” can refer to an audio/visual image that would be otherwisereceived by the patient, such as a natural scenic view, a view of asports or other event, a view of a person with whom the patient isconversing, a movie or other external audio/visual presentation, aremote view (such as via telescope or CCTV, or presented from a cameraattached to an unmanned vehicle) of an astronomical or other naturalevent, or an audio/visual feed otherwise not specifically generated bythe digital eyewear.

The term “real time”, and variants thereof, generally refers to anyfunction or operation performed without substantial delay, such aswithout a significant processing delay. For example, determining anaugmented reality view in real time can include making the determinationwithin a time period not recognizable as delay by a human patient. Foranother example, determining a likelihood of an upcoming event (such asa patient migraine or patient photophobia effect) in real time caninclude making the determination within a time period substantiallybefore the actual upcoming event. For another example, determining anaugmented reality view in real time can include making the determinationwith a delay, while buffering the augmented reality view forpresentation to the patient, with the effect that the patient feels thepresentation is made without substantial delay, or without video jitter,pauses, or skips.

Figures and Text

FIG. 1

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual drawing of a system including digital eyewear.

The system can be described herein with respect to elements shown in thefigures, such as:

-   -   digital eyewear 100;    -   an eyewear frame 110;    -   one or more eyewear lenses 120;    -   a set of patient sensors 130, including at least one or more        input/output elements 131 coupled to the patient, and other        example patient sensors as described herein;    -   a set of ambient sensors 140, including example ambient sensors        as described herein;    -   a set of treatment devices 150, including example treatment        devices as described herein;    -   a control element 160, including at least a computing device 161        having a processor, program and data memory, and input/output        elements coupled to the patient sensors, the ambient sensors,        and the treatment devices; and a communicator 162 having a        sending/receiving element.    -   a patient 170 or other wearer, who is of course not part of the        digital eyewear.

The digital eyewear 100 can be disposed for coupling to the patient 170.For example, the patient 170 can wear the eyewear frame 110. For anotherexample, the digital eyewear 100 can be coupled, such as by a Bluetooth™or other wireless connection to another wearable device, which can beworn by the patient 170 or other wearer. Other wearable devices caninclude a wristband, such as a FitBit™, a glove, a headband, a necklace,one or more earrings, or other accessories, any of which can be worn bythe patient 170 or other wearer. For another example, the digitaleyewear 100 can be coupled to a mobile device, such as a cell phone,music player, or similar device, which can be carried or operated by thepatient 170 or other user. For another example, the digital eyewear 100can include or be coupled to one or more contact lenses, which can beworn by the patient 170 or other wearer. For another example, thedigital eyewear 100 can include or be coupled to one or more implantabledevices, such as an implantable lens (or replacement lens in the eye), asubcutaneous device, or one or more nanodevices or other devicessuitable for operating inside the body, which can be coupled to thepatient 170 or other user.

Eyewear Frame

In one embodiment, the eyewear frame 110 is disposed to support theeyewear lenses 120, the patient sensors 130, the ambient sensors 140,the treatment devices 150, and the control element 160. Alternatively,one or more devices otherwise supported by the eyewear frame 110 can bedisposed in, on, or near the patient 170, with the effect that thedigital eyewear 100 can include devices that intercommunicate toexchange information. As described herein, FIG. 2 shows some alternativeembodiments of the digital eyewear. In such alternative embodiments, itmay occur that one or more such devices can be dynamically swapped outin exchange for new devices, from time to time, or that one or more suchdevices can cooperate with devices supporting another digital eyewear100.

When devices supporting multiple digital eyewear 100 systemscommunicate, they can gather information about a greater area near thepatient 170 (or a greater area near multiple such patients 170 or otherusers), can determine if the patient sensors 130 are detectinginformation unique to the patient 170 or shared by more than one patient170, and can determine whether the ambient environment is affecting onepatient 170 substantially more than others. As described herein, FIG. 4shows a system including digital eyewear communication.

Lenses

In one embodiment, the eyewear frame 110 can support the eyewear lenses120. For example, the eyewear lenses 120 can include a left-eye lens 120a disposed to present information to the patient's left eye, and aright-eye lens 120 b disposed to present information to the patient'sright eye. The lenses 120 can be disposed to present information in oneor more ways:

For a first example, the lenses 120 can include a substantiallytransparent element disposed to allow through passage of light fromexternal sources, wherein the transparent element can be controlled toblock passage of some or all of the light into the eye from specifiedlocations (e.g., pixels) or control some or all of the light passingthrough the entire lens, and at specified frequencies (e.g., 450-490 nmblue), and wherein the transparent element can be controlled to allow oremit light into the eye from specified locations (e.g., pixels) and atspecified frequencies (e.g., 520-560 nm green). This can have the effectthat the lenses 120 show the patient 170 an external image, modified asdesired by the control element 160. This can have the effect that thecontrol element 160 can reduce or increase the intensity of an incomingimage, reduce or increase the intensity of selected frequencies in anincoming image, replace selected frequencies in an incoming image withdistinct other frequencies, and replace the incoming image with anotherimage. When the control element 160 alters the incoming image, it canalter all of it, or only a selected portion thereof.

For a second example, the lenses 120 can include a substantially opaqueelement disposed to block and measure incoming light from externalsources, wherein the control element 160 can determine an incomingimage, without necessarily allowing that incoming image to reach theeye. The substantially opaque element can include, or alternatively bepaired with, a mirror or screen at which the control element 160 candirect light so as to be reflected into the patient's left eye,patient's right eye, or both. This can similarly have the effect thatthe lenses 120 show the patient 170 an external image, modified asdesired by the control element 160. In such second examples, this canhave the effect that the control element 160 can alter the incomingimage, or only a selected portion thereof, as described above withrespect to the first example. In such second examples, the mirror orscreen does not need to be collocated with the lenses 120. They caninstead be disposed as in a retinal image display, with the effect thatthe control element 160 can emit light directly into the eye, such asfrom a laser or a filtered white light source.

For a third example, the control element 160 can determine a gazedirection and focal length for each eye (wherein the gaze direction andfocal length of the left eye and right eye should match), and can directthe lenses 120 to show only the portion of the external image selectedby the eyes, as modified as desired by the control element 160. In suchthird examples, the lenses 120 can be disposed to render only thoseportions (e.g., pixels) of the external image within the focused-uponarea selected by the eyes, or to render those portions at a lowerresolution or intensity, even if other portions of the external imageare of interest. In such third examples, similar to the first and secondexamples, the lenses 120 can be either substantially transparent bydefault or substantially opaque by default, with the control element 160deciding what image to present to the patient 170. Also in such thirdexamples, similar to the second examples, the lenses 120 can use aretinal image display, with the effect that the control element 160 canemit light directly into the eye.

In one embodiment, the lenses 120 can include multiple digital lenses,multi-layered lenses or multi-coated lenses, such as the following(shown in FIG. 3):

-   -   a first layer 310, including one or more of: a lens, a lens        layer, or a lens coating;    -   a second layer 320, including one or more of: a lens, a lens        layer, or a lens coating;

In one embodiment, each of the first layer 310 and the second layer 320can be static (that is, having a substantially constant effect) orelectrodynamic (that is, responsive to an electromagnetic or othercontrol signal).

In one embodiment, the first layer 310 can include an anti-reflectiveeffect responsive to selected frequencies of electromagnetic radiation,with the effect of reducing a selected electromagnetic frequency (suchas blue light, ultraviolet A or B radiation, or otherwise).

In one embodiment, the second layer 320 can include a shading effect,possibly responsive only to an intensity of electromagnetic radiation(that is, monochrome), or alternatively responsive to selectedfrequencies of electromagnetic radiation, with the effect ofshading/inverse-shading. For example, the second layer 320 can include afast-acting adaptive shading element (such as using LCD or othertechniques) and can be disposed for relatively rapid control of lightintensity. For another example, the second layer 320 can include anadaptive electrochromatic effect, with the effect that it can bedisposed either (a) in a clear state, or (b) in a filtering state inwhich is allows selected frequencies (such as a specific color of light,such as green light) to pass through to the patient's eye.

In one embodiment, the combination of the first layer 310 and the secondlayer 320 can be disposed both (a) to remove rapid bursts of light, and(b) remove dangerous frequencies of light, while still allowing passageof valuable frequencies of light.

In one embodiment, the lenses 120 can include eyeglass lenses (such asthose disposed in an eyeglass frame, and generally disposed between theeye and external images), contact lenses (such as those disposed on thesurface of the eye, and generally disposed to cover the pupil withrespect to external images), implantable lenses (such as those disposedbelow the surface of the eye, or to replace the natural lens of the eye,and generally disposed to interpose between the retina and externalimages), or otherwise.

In one embodiment, the lenses 120 can be disposed between the patient'svision and external images in front of the patient 170, in theperipheral vision (side to side) of the patient 170, and between thepatient's vision and other directions (such as from above, from below,and from behind such as reflecting off the eyeware frame 110 or thelenses 120 themselves).

Patient Sensors

In one embodiment, the eyewear frame 110 can support one or more of thepatient sensors 130. Patient sensors can include (a) input from thepatient 170, such as motion of the hands, fingers, arms, head, neck, orother body parts; (b) sensors coupled to the patient's eyes, ears, nose,skin, or other bodily senses; (c) sensors coupled to the patient's brainactivity, motor and related nerve activity, surface fluids or moisture,internal/surface temperature, or other bodily responses; (d) sensorscoupled to the patient's cardiovascular activity, such as heart rate,oxygenation activity, breathing rate/moisture/oxygenation, bloodoxygenation, or other bodily system activity; (e) sensors coupled to thepatient's menstrual cycle, fluid intake, perspiration, alcohol/drugproducts, urine/fecal matter, or other bodily statuses; or other devicesdisposed to receive information with respect to the patient 170.

For example, the patient sensors 130 can include one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   A pupillometry sensor 132 a disposed to conduct real-time        measurement of pupil width, as well as at least a first and        second time-derivative thereof, and at least a first and second        statistical moment thereof. The pupillometry sensor 132 a can        include a camera or other light-sensitive (or sensitive to other        frequencies, such as infrared or ultraviolet) element, disposed        to measure pupil width, and sending its measurements to the        computing device 161. The computing device 161 can be disposed,        such as by its processor executing instructions in memory, to        determine the first and second time-derivative; if the        derivatives (or the size of the derivatives) are too large, the        control system 160 can determine that the patient 170 is subject        to a migraine (or at least subject to substantial emotional        stress, which can be correlated with migraines, photophobia, and        other deleterious effects). The pupillometry sensor 132 a can        also include a sonar sensor, such as one using ultrasound to        determine locations of edges of the pupil, operating either in        concert with or lieu of an electromagnetic sensor.

In one embodiment, the control system 160 can determine (such as whenthe pupillometry sensor 132 a indicates a sudden widening of the pupils)that the patient 170 is under substantial emotional stress. Substantialemotional stress can be correlated with migraine onset.

Substantial emotional stress can also be correlated with severe pain,such as can occur in response to (1) photophobia, or (2) excess lightinput to the eye, such as can occur when the patient 170 is performingin an overly-bright environment. For example, if the patient 170 is insevere pain, this can be due to photophobia, due to direct viewing ofsunlight, or due to sudden glare. For another example, if the patient170 is participating in a sport, excess light input to the eye canresult from having the sun in view, from having the eyes adjusted to acloudy day and having the clouds move away, or from reflective glare(such as from bodies of water, metallic surfaces, and reflections fromwindows or other glass objects). Glare is not necessarily limited tooutdoor events, as it can result from reflection from artificiallighting. In any of these possible events, it can be desirable to adjusta degree of shading/inverse-shading to decrease an amount of lightallowed into the eye, with the effect of reducing pain due to excesslight.

As described herein in other and further detail, excess light input tothe eye might be particularized to specific frequencies, such as bluelight or ultraviolet light. It is believed that both blue light andultraviolet light can stimulate particular cones (color-detecting cellsin the retina). This can send a strong light intensity signal to thebrain, and can inform the brain that the eye is in pain. Alternatively,even patients 170 who are blind can suffer the effects of nerve signalsdirected to the brain from cone cells. Thus, even if total luminance iswithin an acceptable range, blue-light or ultraviolet-light luminancecan exceed reasonable and produce eye pain. Patients 170 withphotophobia, who are sensitive to bright light, can be particularlysensitive to blue light and ultraviolet light. In any of these possibleevents, it can be desirable to adjust a degree ofshading/inverse-shading to decrease an amount of into light for theseparticular frequencies.

As also described herein in other and further detail, excess light canalso be input to the eye from particular directions, such as from theeye's peripheral vision. Although the light sensing cells used forperipheral vision are believed to be less sharp than near the focus ofvision, those light sensing cells can still be overly stimulated byexcess light, even when that light arrives from a peripheral direction.In such cases, excess light from a peripheral direction can cause severepain, particularly for those patients 170 who have photophobia. Excesslight from a peripheral direction can even cause severe pain forpatients 170 who do not have photophobia, but who are not prepared. Forexample, such patients can be involved in a sporting activity wherelight conditions change quickly. Excess light from a peripheraldirection can also trigger migraine onset. In any of these possibleevents, it can be desirable to adjust a degree ofshading/inverse-shading to decrease an amount of into light from aperipheral direction.

As also described herein in other and further detail, the presence ofexcess light can be, at least in part, predicted by the digital eyewear100, such as by its control element 160. The effect of excess light canbe alleviated by the digital eyewear 100, such as byshading/inverse-shading of the lenses 120. In such cases, when thedigital eyewear 100 is able to predict with reasonable certainty thatexcess light is about to be received by the eye, the control element 160can control the lenses 120 to invoke shading/inverse-shading. This canhave the effect of reducing or eliminating a possible source of pain,thus reducing the possible effects of migraines or photophobia.

As also described herein in other and further detail, the presence (orpredicted presence) of excess light can be identified by the digitaleyewear 100, such as when the patient 170 is engaged in a sportactivity, other outdoor activity, or an indoor activity in which lightconditions are variable. For example, activities can includeparticipation in a sport activity or watching a sport activity, such as(in the case of recreation) exercise, hiking, camping, and similaractivities, or such as (in the case of professional activities) searchand rescue operations, firefighting, or police or military activity.Activities can include driving. In such cases, the digital eyewear 100can detect or predict, at least in part, excess light that might havethe effect of distracting the patient 170, or otherwise reducingvisibility. For example, sudden changes in amount of light, due toweather or other changes, or sudden changes in visibility, due to glareor other effects, can be ameliorated by the digital eyewear 100 uponprediction or detection, using shading/inverse-shading. Theshading/inverse-shading can be particularized to specific frequencyranges (such as blue light or ultraviolet light) or to specificdirections (such as peripheral vision).

As described herein, the pupillometry sensor 132 a can be coupled to ashading/inverse-shading device, to provide shading/inverse-shading inresponse to the patient's eye. In addition, as described herein, theshading/inverse-shading device can be coupled to and responsive to oneor more of: optical/perceptual parameters, parameters personalized tothe patient 170, or the patient's mental state. As described herein, theoptical/perceptual parameters, parameters personalized to the patient170, or the patient's mental state, can be derived from one or more ofthe patient sensors 130, the ambient sensors 140, or feedback from thetreatment devices 150.

A gaze direction and focal length sensor 132 b disposed to conductreal-time measurement of gaze direction and focal length for each eye,as well as at least a first and second time-derivative thereof, and atleast a first and second statistical moment thereof (similar to thepupillometry sensor 132 a). The gaze direction and focal length of theleft eye and right eye should match; if not, the control element 160 candetermine that the patient 170 either (a) is sleep deprived or otherwiseat least partly unable to focus properly, or (b) is subject to amigraine and has lost at least some control of their ability to focusproperly. Similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a, if the derivativesof gaze direction or focal length are too large, the control system 160can determine that the patient is subject to a migraine.

A blink rate sensor 132 c disposed to measure real-time blink rate ofthe patient's eyes. The control system 160 can determine at least firstand second time-derivatives of, and at least first and secondstatistical moments of, the blink rate (similar to the pupillometrysensor 132 a). The control system 160 can use the blink rate todetermine a measure of dryness of the eye, irritation of the eye, andpossibly other features with respect to the patient 170. Excessivedryness of the eye can be correlated with migraine/photophobia.

In one embodiment, the blink rate sensor 132 c can include a cameradisposed to view the eyelid, or a portion thereof, and instructions atthe computing device 161 to determine how frequently the eyelid movesfrom open to closed or from closed to open. For example, the blink ratesensor 132 c can include a camera disposed to view the iris or pupil, ora portion thereof, and instructions at the computing device 161 todetermine how frequently the eyelid obscures the iris or pupil. Foranother example, the blink rate sensor 132 c can include a cameradisposed to view, or another sensor disposed to measure, a reflectivityof the sclera (such as an infrared reflectivity), or another portion ofthe eye or a portion thereof, and instructions at the computing device161 to determine a measure of dryness of the sclera or other portions ofthe eye.

In one embodiment, the blink rate sensor 132 c can include a capacitivemeasure of the eye, such as an electrooculgraphy (EOG) sensor, which candetermine how frequently the capacitive measure of the eye changes inresponse to an eyeblink. The EOG sensor can also measure a differentialretinal response between a lighter image and a darker image, such as bymeasurement of the Arden ratio, with the effect that the EOG sensor canalso be used to determine a relative light sensitivity of the eye. TheEOG sensor can also be used to determine frequency, rapidity, anddirection of eye movement, in response to capacitive changes fromchanges in gaze direction. The control system 160 can determine at leastfirst and second time-derivatives of, and at least first and secondstatistical moments of, the EOG sensor (similar to the pupillometrysensor 132 a).

An electroencephalography (EEG) sensor 132 d disposed to measurereal-time brain activity of the patient 170. The control system 160 can,in response to a total electroencephalography signal, and first andsecond time-derivatives thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132a), can determine a total excitivity of the brain. Similar to thepupillometry sensor 132 a, if the derivatives (or the size of thederivatives) are too large, the control system 160 can determine thatthe patient 170 is subject to a migraine.

An electromyography (EMG) sensor 132 e disposed to conduct real-timemeasurement of muscle tone of the patient's head and neck, as well as atleast a first and second time-derivative thereof, and at least a firstand second statistical moment thereof (similar to the pupillometrysensor 132 a). Muscle tone or skin elasticity can also be measured usingstress sensors, such as electrical circuits, electromotor sensors, skinelasticity sensors, strain gauges (metallic or otherwise), and othersensors disposed to determine effects of migraines on musculature.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear 100 can also use the EMG sensor132 e to determine if the patient 170 has eyestrain or a tensionheadache, if they do not also have a migraine/photophobia. It mightoccur that severe eyestrain or a severe tension headache can becorrelated with migraine onset, or with onset or continuation of one ormore photophobia effects.

An electrocardiography (ECG) sensor 132 f disposed to conduct real-timemeasurement of cardiac signals, from which the computing device 161 candetermine the patient's heart rate, as well as at least a first andsecond time-derivative thereof, and at least a first and secondstatistical moment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a).The control element 160 can use heart rate to assist in determiningwhether the patient 170 is having an unusual emotional response, such asundue stress.

One or more accelerometers 132 g disposed to determine measure physicalexertion, such as running or other physical exercise. For example,accelerometers 132 g can help determine whether the patient 170 isrunning or jogging when their heart rate is elevated, which can help thecontrol system 160 determine whether the ECG sensor 132 f measurementsindicate exercise (e.g., running or jogging) or pain or anotheremotional response (e.g., due to migraine/photophobia). For anotherexample, the accelerometers 132 g can help the control system 160determine whether the patient 170 is subject to unusual acceleration(such as in a roller coaster or a careening motor vehicle), which canhelp the control system 160 determine whether the ECG sensor 132 dmeasurements distinguish between different emotional responses (e.g.,excitement or fear, pain or anxiety, or otherwise).

A skin galvanometer 132 h disposed to measure real-time conductivity ofthe patient's skin and capacitance of the patient's outer skin layers,such as at areas of the head and neck. The skin galvanometer 132 h caninclude, or be combined with, a specific perspiration detector disposedto measure real-time concentrations of moisture and electrolytes on thepatient's skin, such as at similar or symmetrically identical areas. Thecomputing device 161 can be disposed to determine at least a first andsecond time-derivative thereof, and at least a first and secondstatistical moment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a).For example, skin conductivity and capacitance can help the controlsystem 160 determine whether the patient 170 is dehydrated, asdehydration can be correlated with migraines/photophobia.

A blood oxymeter 132 i disposed to measure oxygenation of the patient'sblood, or another measure of adequate supply of oxygen to the patient'sbrain and nervous system. The computing device 161 can be disposed todetermine at least a first and second time-derivative thereof, and atleast a first and second statistical moment thereof (similar to thepupillometry sensor 132 a). Lack of blood oxygenation, or rapid changesthereof, can be correlated with migraines/photophobia. For a firstexample, the blood oxymeter 132 i can be coupled to a relativelytransparent portion of the patient's external body, such as a finger orearlobe (or in the case of a neonate or a small child, a toe, foot, orpalm). The computing device 161 can be disposed to determine bloodoxygenation in response to a ratio of blood reflection or transmissionof red and infrared light. For a second example, blood oxygenation canbe determined in response to coloration of the retina, such as measuredby (visual and IR) cameras directed at portions of the retina. Frequencyanalysis of blood oxymetry can also help the control system to determinea heart rate, e.g., by measurement of a primary frequency of change inblood oxymetry.

A microphone 132 j or other vibration sensor, disposed to measurereal-time breathing rate, such as at areas of the head and neck. Thecomputing device 161 can be disposed to determine at least a first andsecond time-derivative thereof, and at least a first and secondstatistical moment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a).For example, microphones 132 j can measure both breathing rate andwhether the patient's breathing is relatively shallow or deep.Microphones 132 j can be combined with one or more CO₂ sensors, or othersensors of breathing products, disposed (such as on the digital eyewearnear a nosepiece, or near the patient's mouth or nose). For example, CO₂sensors can help the control system 160 determine whether the patient170 is receiving adequate oxygenation.

A camera 132 k or other motion sensor (such as an infrared motionsensor, sonar or ultrasonic sensor, or vibration sensor), directed atthe eyelid and disposed to measure real-time blink rate. The computingdevice 161 can be disposed to determine at least a first and secondtime-derivative thereof, and at least a first and second statisticalmoment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a).

One or more intake/outgo sensors 132 l disposed to measure the patient'sfluid intake, exhalation, perspiration, and dry substance intake (e.g.grains). For example, substance intake can be measured in response toself-reporting by the patient 170, while exhalation and perspiration canbe measured in response to a moisture gradient emanating from thepatient 170 (or from specific patient 170 orifices, such as the mouth ornose). The computing device 161 can be disposed to determine at least afirst and second time-derivative thereof, and at least a first andsecond statistical moment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor132 a).

One or more sleep sensors 132 m disposed to measure sleep deprivation,such as the patient's past night's sleep, a patient's recent nap, thepatient's eye focus, and the patient's reaction time. For example, pastnight's sleep and recent nap can be measured in response toself-reporting by the patient 170, or in response to a bodily movementsensor and temperature sensor. For another example, the patient's eyefocus and reaction time can be measured by a camera directed at the irisand pupil of the patient's eyes, such as determining a clarity andregularity of focus and a speed of eye reaction to new stimuli. Thecomputing device 161 can be disposed to determine at least first andsecond time-derivatives thereof, and at least first and secondstatistical moments thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a),as eye focus and reaction time might be correlated with whether thepatient 170 is preoccupied with other matters.

One or more menstrual sensors 132 n disposed to measure the patient'smenstrual cycle (for patients 170 who actually have menstrual cycles).For example, the patient's menstrual cycle can be measured in responseto bodily temperature, or as otherwise in known use for measuringmenstrual cycle, or in response to requesting the information from thepatient 170. Adult women are much more likely to have migraine attacksthan adult men; researchers believe this is correlated with themenstrual cycle.

In one embodiment, the patient sensors 130 can be responsive to one ormore medical records associated with the patient 170. The medicalrecords can be retrieved ahead of time, before incoming audio/videosignals to be presented to the patient 170, and processed by the controlelement 160 to assess possible patient 170 sensitivity to incomingaudio/video signals. The medical records can be retrieved dynamically inresponse to ability to retrieve those records, such as when thoserecords can be retrieved in response to presence in a medical office.

Ambient Sensors

In one embodiment, the eyewear frame 110 can support one or more of theambient sensors 140. Ambient sensors can include sensors (a) coupled toambient light: such as brightness, frequency, and variance; or sound:such as loudness, frequency, variance, and noise; (b) coupled to ambientweather conditions: such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, pollencounts, electromagnetic flux and UV index, ionization or other measuresof pollutants; (c) coupled to physical location: such as GPScoordinates, elevation, or other indicators of possible migraine-coupledactivity; (d) coupled to other patients 170: such as by communicationwith other digital eyewear and deduction/induction from other patients'migraine onset or activity; or other sensors that could bear on or becorrelated with migraine onset or activity.

For example, the ambient sensors 140 can include one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   A light spectrum sensor 141 a disposed to conduct real-time        measurement of a frequency distribution in ambient light, such        as incoming light in an image at which the eyes are directed.        The light spectrum sensor 141 a can determine a relative        fraction of incoming light at each known frequency or frequency        band, such as frequency bands designated for infrared        (approximately >1000 nm), red (approximately 635-700 nm), green        (approximately 520-560 nm), blue (approximately 450-490 nm), and        ultraviolet (approximately <500 nm). Blue light and ultraviolet        light can be correlated with migraines, while green light can be        correlated with preventing or ameliorating migraines. In one        embodiment, the light spectrum sensor 141 a can be combined with        measurements of the patient's iris and lens, and any corrective        lenses or shading/inverse-shading lenses used by the patient        170, as those eye components and external lenses can have        filtering effects on incoming light. The computing device 161        can be disposed to determine at least a first and second        time-derivative thereof, and at least a first and second        statistical moment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor        132 a), as rapid variation in light spectrum can be correlated        with migraines.    -   A light intensity sensor 141 b disposed to conduct real-time        measurement of incoming light to the patient's eye (such as        total candelas/square-meters received by each eye). The light        intensity sensor 141 b can be disposed to measure light        intensity at known frequencies of light; while relatively lower        light intensity can be correlated with ameliorating migraines,        it can be desirable to maintain relatively higher light        intensity in the green (520-560 nm) color range anyway. The        computing device 161 can be disposed to determine at least a        first and second time-derivative thereof, and at least a first        and second statistical moment thereof (similar to the        pupillometry sensor 132 a), as rapid variation in light        intensity can be correlated with migraines.

As described herein, the light intensity sensor 141 b can be coupled tothe control element 160, with the effect that the control element 160can determine when an amount of light intensity exceeds a first selectedthreshold beyond which pain occurs, or a second selected thresholdbeyond which there is a significant threat of migraine onset. The firstselected threshold and the second selected threshold can be determinedin response to medical guidelines and in response to input from thepatient 170. Medical guidelines can be received from data repositories420 or treatment servers 430. Input from the patient 170 can be receivedfrom patient sensors 130 or input/output devices coupled to the controlelement 160. As described herein, when excess light is detected orpredicted (or when excess light in selected frequency ranges, such asblue light or ultraviolet light, is detected or predicted) the controlelement 160 can direct the lenses 120 to shade/inverse-shade. This canhave the effect that excess light on the patient 170 is reduced ineffect. This can have one or more of the following effects: (1) reducingthe chance of migraine onset, (2) reducing the severity or duration of acurrent migraine, (3) reducing the chance of a photophobia effect, (4)reducing the severity or duration of a photophobia effect, or acombination thereof.

As also described herein, when the patient 170 is engaged in a sportactivity, other outdoor activity, or an indoor activity in which lightconditions are variable, the light intensity sensor 141 b can be coupledto the control element 160 to reduce any negative effects of changes inlight conditions. Negative effects can include reduced visibility (suchas due to a time needed for the patient's pupil to react to changes inlight conditions, or such as due to excess light flooding images needingrelatively fine distinctions in light intensity), distraction (such asdue to the patient's attention being drawn to changes in lightconditions, or such as due to glare affecting the patient's vision), orotherwise. For example, the patient's ability to distinguish smallobjects, such as a ball in a sporting event, or such as a distant targetin a search/rescue activity or police/military activity, can be affectedby changes in lighting conditions, and particularly by suddenbrightness/darkness or by glare. In such cases, the control element 160can direct the lenses 120 to shade/inverse-shade to reduce the amount bywhich the change in lighting condition affects the patient's vision.

A light polarization sensor 141 c disposed to conduct real-timemeasurement of what fraction of incoming light to the patient's eye ispolarized. For example, reflected light (such as glare, light reflectedfrom a seascape, or otherwise) is primarily polarized. The computingdevice 161 can be disposed to determine at least a first and secondtime-derivative thereof, and at least a first and second statisticalmoment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a), as rapidvariation in polarization can be correlated with sudden glare, which canbe correlated with migraines.

As described herein, the light polarization sensor 141 c can also atleast in part, detect glare.

One or more weather measurement sensors 141 d, including sensors forbarometric pressure, humidity, and temperature. For example, cold anddry weather can be correlated with migraines. The computing device 161can be disposed to determine at least a first and second time-derivativethereof, and at least a first and second statistical moment thereof(similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a), as rapid variation inweather can be correlated with migraines.

One or more ambient irritant measurement sensors 141 e, includingsensors for pollutants (such as chemical, ionizing, or particulatepollutants), pollen count, and other triggers for eye/sinus irritation,irritation of other membranes or portions of the patient's body, ortriggers for other allergies or headache-inducing factors. Knownpollutants can include NOx, ozone, particulates (such as dust or soot),sulfur compounds, unburned hydrocarbons, vehicle exhaust, and otherchemical or physical detritus. Pollen count, for one or more of at least12 or more known different types of pollen, can be measured eitherdirectly, or by reference to a GPS sensor coupled to a database orweather report of pollen counts. The computing device 161 can bedisposed to determine at least a first and second time-derivativethereof, and at least a first and second statistical moment thereof(similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a). For example, the ambientirritant measurement sensors 141 e can be disposed on or near thedigital eyewear (or a related device), on or near the patient 170, orcollected from external databases in response to a location, time/date,or elevation of the patient 170. In such cases, the ambient irritantmeasurement sensors 141 e can obtain information from thelocation/movement sensors 141 f (possibly including GPS sensors, asdescribed herein), and obtain information from one or more remote datarepositories 420 or treatment servers 430 in response thereto (asdescribed herein).

One or more location/movement sensors 141 f, possibly including GPSsensors, wireless network triangulation sensors, accelerometers,altimeters, magnetic compasses, gyroscopes (mechanical, optical, orotherwise), or other devices suitable for determining absolute location,orientation, velocity, acceleration, or angular momentum. The computingdevice 161 can be disposed to determine at least a first and secondtime-derivative thereof, and at least a first and second statisticalmoment thereof (similar to the pupillometry sensor 132 a), as rapidchanges in location or momentum can be of use in determining factorscorrelated with migraines.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can be disposed to use thecommunicators 162 to access data repositories 420 (shown in FIG. 4) ortreatment servers 430 with respect to information from thelocation/movement sensors. For example, the data repositories 420 canreport information for light intensity, UV flux, weather measurement,ambient irritants, and other real-time data associated with thepatient's location. For example, requests for treatment assistance canbe routed to treatment servers 430 identified with the patient'slocation; when needed, medical personnel and emergency responders can becontacted in response to the patient's location.

Treatment Devices

In one embodiment, the eyewear frame 110 can support one or more of thetreatment devices 150.

Treatment devices can include elements (a) disposed to filter lightincoming or otherwise input to the patient's eyes, such as light that isoverly intense, overly rapidly changing, overly complex, or includesfrequencies unduly likely to trigger a migraine; (b) disposed to filtersound or smells incoming or otherwise input to the patient's senses,such as sound that is overly loud, overly rapidly changing, overlycomplex, or includes frequencies unduly likely to trigger a migraine, orsuch as smells that are overly intense or, by the patient 170,associated with substances or events with strong emotional context; (c)disposed to inject light or other inputs to the patient's sensesintended to reduce the likelihood of a migraine, or to reduce the effectof a migraine that is occurring; or (d) disposed to assist the patient170 in self-care to reduce the likelihood of a migraine, or to reducethe effect of a migraine that is occurring. For example, one or moretreatment devices can incorporate pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceuticalelements, which can be administered through the device. For example, oneor more treatment devices can be disposed to monitor the efficacy of thecurrent pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical dosage for the patient 170.

For example, the treatment devices 150 can include one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   A video shading/inverse-shading element 151 a coupled to the        lenses 120, disposed to reduce intensity of incoming light,        either for total intensity or for selected frequencies, and        either for an entire incoming image or for a portion thereof        (such as a light flare or glare element). For example, the        control element 160 can determine when an incoming image        includes light that is overly intense, overly rapidly changing,        overly complex, or includes frequencies unduly likely to trigger        a migraine, and can reduce those effects by selective use of the        video shading/inverse-shading element.    -   A polarization element 151 b, such as on the lenses 120,        disposed to block incoming light that is polarized in a selected        direction, either for total intensity or for selected        frequencies, for light reaching the patient's eye. For example,        the control element 160 can determine when an incoming image        includes light that is overly polarized, such as glare or        reflection, and can reduce the effects of overly polarized light        by applying a linear polarization filter (such as found in        polarized sunglasses).

As described herein, the control element 160 can direct the videoshading/inverse-shading element 151 a, the polarization element 151 b,or both, to operate with the lenses 120, to reduce the effect of changesin lighting conditions and to reduce glare. This can have the effect oneor more useful effects:

-   -   The patient 170 can be protected from a migraine caused by the        change in lighting or by glare. This can include reducing the        likelihood of migraine onset, reducing the severity or duration        of a migraine, or reducing the duration or effect of a        post-migraine (“postdrome”) stage, or a combination of a        migraine effect with photophobia.    -   The patient 170 can be protected from photophobia caused by the        change in lighting or by glare. This can include reducing the        likelihood of photophobia, or reducing the severity or duration        of photophobia, or a combination of photophobia with a migraine        effect.    -   The patient 170 can be protected from any negative effects when        engaged in a sport activity, other outdoor activity, or an        indoor activity in which light conditions are variable. As        described herein, undesired effects can include reduced        visibility, distraction, or otherwise.

As described herein, the video shading/inverse-shading element 151 a,the polarization element 151 b, or both together, can be applied inadvance by the control element 160 when the latter predicts that theamount of light, or the amount of polarized light, will exceed arecommended threshold. The video shading/inverse-shading element 151 a,the polarization element 151 b, or both together, can also be applied ata time when the control element 160 measures that the amount of light,or the amount of polarized light, exceeds the recommended threshold. Therecommended threshold for predicted light levels and for current lightlevels can differ, and can be responsive to a current condition of thepatient 170, whether measured by the patient sensors 130, the ambientsensors 140, one or more reports from the patient 170, or otherwise.

As described herein, the recommended threshold can include a firstselected threshold beyond which the likelihood of migraine offset isdetermined to be undesirable, a second selected threshold beyond whichthe likelihood of pain from photophobia is determined to be undesirable,or a combination thereof. As described herein, the first selectedthreshold and the second selected threshold can be responsive to one ormore data repositories 420, treatment servers 430, or a combinationthereof.

As described herein, the amount of light (or polarized light) determinedto be excessive can be limited to particular ranges of frequencies, suchas blue light or ultraviolet light. In addition to using the videoshading/inverse-shading element 151 a, the control element 160 can alsouse the light injection element 151 c (as described herein), thefrequency conversion crystal array 151 d (as described herein), or acombination thereof, to adjust a balance of frequencies or a mix offrequencies to one better suited to the patient 170. For example, thecontrol element 160 can use the video shading/inverse-shading element151 a to apply inverse shading to increase a relative amount of greenlight, or can use the light injection element 151 c to inject greenlight to increase its amount relative to other frequencies, or acombination thereof. The recommended thresholds (whether distinct forpredicted or actual incoming light, and whether distinct for migraineeffects or photophobia) for each particular frequency can differ, andcan be responsive to a current condition of the patient 170, whethermeasured by the patient sensors 130, the ambient sensors 140, one ormore reports from the patient 170, or otherwise.

As described herein, the amount of light (or polarized light) determinedto be excessive can be measured from a particular direction, such as ina peripheral vision direction. The control element 160 can separatelymeasure the amount of light (or polarized light) entering the peripheralvision of the patient's eye, and can separately determine whether thatamount of light (or polarized light) exceeds a recommended threshold.The recommended thresholds (whether distinct for predicted or actualincoming light, and whether distinct for migraine effects orphotophobia, and whether distinct for any particular range offrequencies) for peripheral vision (and for distinct angles ofperipheral vision, including side to side and up/down) can differ, andcan be responsive to a current condition of the patient 170, whethermeasured by the patient sensors 130, the ambient sensors 140, one ormore reports from the patient 170, or otherwise.

As described herein, the control element 160 can direct the videoshading/inverse-shading element 151 a, the polarization element 151 b,the light injection element 151 c, the frequency conversion crystalarray 151 d, or one or more combinations thereof, in response to a sportactivity, other outdoor activity, or an indoor activity in which lightconditions are variable. The control element 160 can direct theoperation of these devices in combination with the lenses 120 inresponse to the type of activity, in response to the patient sensors130, the ambient sensors 140, one or more reports from the patient 170(such as the patient's movements to input data into the digital eyewear100 using touch, using finger or hand movements within a field of view,using voice commands, using eye or head movements, or otherwise), orcombinations thereof.

A light injection element 151 c coupled to the lenses 120, disposed toinject light at frequencies known to be correlated with reducing thelikelihood of a migraine, or with reducing the effect of a migraine thatis occurring. For example, researchers have found that light in thegreen (520-560 nm) color range can have a positive effect for migrainepatients 170. The control element 160 can determine when a migraine islikely or ongoing, and can administer treatment of this type.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can be disposed to direct thelight injection element 151 c to inject green light into the eye toreduce the effects of migraines, and possibly of other headaches. Insuch cases, when the control element 160 determines that migraineactivity is about to occur, or is currently occurring, the controlelement 160 directs the light injection element 151 c to inject greenlight into the eye. For some patients 170, green light can have theeffect of reducing the likelihood of an oncoming migraine, or whenmigraine activity is already occurring, can have the effect of reducingthe severity of the migraine.

Alternatively, the control element 160 can be disposed to direct thevideo shading/inverse-shading element 151 a, or the polarization element151 b, to reduce the intensity of colors other than green. This can havean effect similar to injecting green light into the patient's eye. Thecontrol element 160 can also be disposed to combine these effects,adding green light to selected portions of the incoming image andreducing non-green light from other selected portions of the incomingimage. For example, the control element 160 can also be disposed tomaintain the lens 120 at a relatively static state of increased amountof green, with reductions in non-green portions of the image whereexcess green would brighten the incoming image too much.

In other cases, when the control element 160 determines that the patient170 is sleepy in the morning, or is otherwise sleepy at an abnormaltime, the control element 160 can direct the light injection element 151c (after warning and obtaining approval from the patient 170) to injectblue light into the eye. For some patients, blue light can have theeffect of waking the patient 170, or of reducing drowsiness orsleepiness for the patient 170. Similar to the description above withrespect to green, the control element 160 can combine light injectionwith both shading/inverse-shading and polarization, and can reducenon-blue colors in portions of the image that would be made too brightby addition of excess blue.

As described herein, the control element 160 can direct the lightinjection element 151 c, the frequency conversion crystal array 151 d,or a combination thereof, to adjust a balance of light frequencies or amix of light frequencies, to reduce the likelihood or severity/durationof migraines, to reduce the likelihood or severity/duration ofphotophobia, to reduce any negative effects when performing a sport orother activity in a changing environment, or a combination thereof.

A frequency conversion crystal array 151 d disposed to receive incominglight from an image upon which the eyes are focused, and to converttheir photons from a first incoming frequency to a second presentationfrequency. This can have the effect that the first frequency in theincoming light can be converted to the second frequency in the imagepresented to the patient 170. The control element 160 can be disposed todetermine the first and second frequencies, and to determine for whichportions of the image, or all of it, the frequency conversion isapplied.

An audio shading/inverse-shading element 151 e, disposed to reduceintensity of incoming sound (such as one or more sharp rises of audioamplitude, or one or more selected audio frequencies), either for totalintensity or for selected frequencies, and either for an entire set ofincoming sounds or for a portion thereof (such as a screeching noise, oran element in the soundscape that is emitting any annoying noises, orthe elements in the soundscape other than persons). For example, thecontrol element 160 can determine when an incoming image includes soundthat is overly intense, overly rapidly changing, overly complex, orincludes frequencies unduly likely to trigger a migraine, and can reducethose effects by selective use of the audio shading/inverse-shadingelement.

A sound or other sensory injection element 151 f, disposed to injectsound or other senses known to be correlated with reducing thelikelihood of a migraine, or with reducing the effect of a migraine thatis occurring. For example, researchers have found that when the patient170 relaxes, or is under less stress, a migraine is less likely tooccur, and that migraine effects are better handled. When possible, thecontrol element 160 can determine when a migraine is likely or ongoing,and can administer soothing sounds (such as music, nature sounds, orotherwise), relaxing smells or textures, or other treatment of thistype.

A medication induction element 151 g, disposed to induce medication(such as using cutaneous medication, controlled release of implantedmedication, or directions to the patient 170 to take medication in pillor liquid form) to reduce the likelihood of a migraine, or to reduce theeffect of a migraine that is occurring. For example, the medicationinduction element 151 g can operate under control of the control element160 upon obtaining consent from the patient 170. For example, themedication can include pain relief medication (e.g., aspirin oribuprofen) or other medications known to affect migraines (e.g.,medications described herein with respect to migraines).

A moisturizer induction element 151 h, disposed to induce moisturizer,such as by aerosol applied to the eyes or the skin, to reduce thelikelihood of a migraine, or to reduce the effect of a migraine that isoccurring. For example, the moisturizer induction element 151 h canoperate under control of the control element 160 upon notifying thepatient 170 (such as with a light buzzing sound). For example, themoisturizer can include saline for the eyes, or can include additionalcompounds for the skin.

In one embodiment, the moisturizer induction element 151 h can betriggered, not just for migraines, but also for dry eyes or foreyestrain (such as can occur when the patient 170 has been concentratingon a television, computer screen, or mobile device screen, for anexcessive amount of time). For example, the control element 160 canidentify when the patient 170 has been focused on a television, computerscreen, or mobile device screen, by noting that the patient's gazedirection or focal length has not changed much in some time, and thatthe patient 170 has received a much greater than normal amount of bluelight. For another example, the control element 160 can determine whatthe patient 170 is looking at by using an outward-facing camera directedto an external image view. As described herein, maintaining a very shortfocal length (approximately <24 inches) for long durations can bedamaging to the eye muscles. As a form of treatment, the control element160 can direct the patient 170 to move their focus to a different(usually more distant) gaze direction or focal length, to rest the eyemuscles and to allow the blink rate to recover, such as by looking out awindow or otherwise at a relatively distant scene.

A transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation (t-SNS) device 151 i, orsimilar device, coupled to the patient's nervous system, and disposed tointroduce t-SNS treatment to reduce the likelihood of migraine onset.For example, the control element 160, when it determines that likelihoodof migraine onset is relatively high, can obtain consent from thepatient 170 and initiate this therapy.

FIG. 2

FIG. 2 (collectively including panels A, B, C, D, and E) shows aconceptual drawing of some alternative embodiments of the digitaleyewear.

In alternative embodiments, the digital eyewear 100 can include one ormore of the following:

-   -   removable/replaceable, or otherwise augmentable, lenses 120;    -   contact lenses 120 applied to a surface of the eye;    -   wearable/implantable lenses 120 implanted into a subsurface        region of the eye;    -   one or more retinal image displays, which can be disposed to        present images to selected portions of the retina;    -   one or more optic nerve stimulators, which can be disposed to        stimulate selected portions of the optic nerve, which can have        the effect of presenting the brain with selected images.

Removable/Replaceable Lenses

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 panel A, the removable/replaceablelenses 120 can include a lens assembly coupled to the eyewear frame 110.The eyewear frame 110 can include a receptacle 111 disposed to fit theremovable/replaceable lenses 120. In such cases, theremovable/replaceable lenses 120 can be inserted into, or attached to,the receptacle 111, which can have the effect that the digital eyewearhas its lenses 120 replaced with new lenses 120.

Contact Lenses

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 panel B, the digital eyewear 100 caninclude contact lenses 120, which can include one or more lenses 120applied to a surface of the eye, such as so-called “hard” and “soft”contact lenses, and including one or more elements of the lenses 120, asdescribed herein, disposed in the contact lenses 120. For example, thelenses 120 can include one or more layers, such as a first layer 310which can include an anti-reflective coating 311 and which can includean optical filtering element 312, and a second layer 320 which caninclude an anti-reflective coating 321 and can include an opticalfiltering element 322 (shown in FIG. 3).

For example, the contact lenses 120 can include one or more controlcircuits 330, which can be embedded in either the first layer 310, thesecond layer 320, or both, or otherwise embedded in the contact lenses120. The control circuits 330 can be disposed outside the viewing areaof the eye, such as in a location not overlapping the pupil or iris. Thecontrol circuits 330 can be disposed to receive control signals bywireless means, such as in response to an antenna 331, and can bedisposed to control the optical filtering elements 312 and 322 inresponse to those control signals.

Wearable/Implantable Lenses

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 panel C, the digital eyewear 100 caninclude wearable/implantable lenses 120 implanted into a subsurfaceregion of the eye. For example, the natural lenses of the patient's eyescan be surgically replaced with wearable/implantable lenses 120. Thelenses 120 can include one or more layers, such as a first layer 310which can include an anti-reflective coating 311 and which can includean optical filtering element 312, and a second layer 320 which caninclude an optical filtering element 322 (shown in FIG. 3). Theanti-reflective coating 321 at the rear of the second layer 320 might beunnecessary, as a retinal image display might not be directed to therear of the second layer 320.

Retinal Image Display

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 panel D, the digital eyewear 100 caninclude one or more retinal image displays (RID), laser and otherexternal lighting images, “heads-up” displays (HUD), holographicdisplays, or other devices disposed to present an artificial image tothe patient's eye (herein sometimes called an “artificial imagedisplay”).

For example, an artificial image display can include a device disposedto emit light or other electromagnetic radiation into one or moreselected portions of the retina. The selected portions of the retina caninclude (1) a location on the retina at which the eye is focusingexternal light, (2) a location on the retina near where the eye isfocusing external light, but not in a direct focus region, (3) alocation on the retina away from where the eye is focusing externallight, or a combination or conjunction thereof. This can have the effectthat the artificial image display can affect the patient's vision bydirecting light onto the retina, or can affect the patient's peripheralvision by directing light onto a location on the retina not in a directfocus region, or can affect the patient's brain state by directing lightonto a location on the retina away from where the eye is focusingexternal light.

For example, the selected portions of the retina can include (1) a setof cones or cone receptors on the retina, which are sensitive to lightof a selected frequency or frequency band, such as green light, or (2) aset of rods or rod receptors on the retina, which are sensitive to atotal luminosity of light, such as a measure of brightness, or acombination or conjunction thereof. This can have the effect that theartificial image display can affect the patient's vision by directinglight onto the retina to stimulate a color response from the patient170, such as a response to green light. This can also have the effectthat the artificial image display can affect the patient's vision bydirecting light onto the retina to stimulate a luminosity response fromthe patient 170, such as a response to relatively dark sunrise/sunsetlevels of light.

Optic Nerve Stimulator

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2 panel E, the digital eyewear 100 caninclude one or more optic nerve stimulators, disposed to directlystimulate the patient's optic nerve. For example, the optic nervestimulators can be disposed to stimulate nerve cells in the optic nerveusing electronic signals applied directly to those nerve cells, usinglight applied directly to those nerve cells, or using electromagneticsignals applied indirectly to those nerve cells (such as from outsidethe patient's skull).

For example, the optic nerve stimulators can be disposed tostimulate/inhibit the optic nerve, with the effect that the patient'seye transmits relatively more or relatively less information to thebrain. Excess brain stimulation can be correlated with migraineactivity, so it can occur that reducing transmitted information to thebrain can reduce the likelihood of migraine onset, or alleviate orshorted the duration of migraine activity.

FIG. 3

FIG. 3 shows a conceptual drawing of a system including digital eyewearwith controllable lenses.

As described herein, the lenses 120 can include multiple digital lenses,multi-layered lenses or multi-coated lenses, such as the first layer 310and the second layer 320, as described herein.

First Layer

In one embodiment, the first layer 310 can include an outer layer (atits front portion), having an anti-reflective coating 311, and caninclude an optical filtering element 312. As described herein, theanti-reflective coating 311 can provide an anti-reflective effect; theanti-reflective effect can be responsive to selected frequencies ofincoming electromagnetic radiation. For example, the anti-reflectivecoating 311 can be disposed to reduce particular selectedelectromagnetic frequencies or frequency bands, such as: blue light,ultraviolet A radiation, ultraviolet B radiation, or otherwise.

As described herein, the optical filtering element 312 can be disposedto differentially filter electromagnetic radiation in response tofrequencies or frequency bands. The optical filtering element 312 can bedisposed to be either static or electrodynamic. When the opticalfiltering element 312 is static, it has a substantially constantfiltering effect, at each time, at each of its locations.

When the optical filtering element 312 is electrodynamic, it can receiveone or more control signals 313 a, 313 b, and the like, specifyingindividual locations of selected areas 314 of the optical filteringelement 312, and for what frequencies those selected areas 314 arefiltered. The selected areas 314 can include individual pixels, or smallgroups thereof, to be distinctly filtered by the optical filteringelement 312. The control signals 313 a, 313 b, and the like, can selectareas 314 in a time sliced manner, allocating a relatively small time toeach one.

This can have the effect that shading/inverse-shading can be performedindividually and distinctly for each selected area 314, that is, thateach selected area 314 can have its own electrochromatic effectspecified for each moment in time. This can have the effect that thecontrol element 160 can, say, choose a selected area 314 to reduce theamount of blue light it allows through in a first time slice, and toincrease the amount of green light it allows through in a second timeslice. When each time slice is small enough, the eye should besubstantially unable to identify the separate filtering operations, sothat both are collectively perceived as being performed concurrently.

Second Layer

In one embodiment, similarly, the second layer 320 can include an outerlayer (at its rear portion), having an anti-reflective coating 321, andcan include an optical filtering element 322. As shown in the figure,the second layer 320 can be disposed nearer the eye, with a retinalimage display coupled to reflect images from the rear portion of thesecond layer 320 (nearer the eye), into the eye.

Similarly to the first layer 310, the second layer's' anti-reflectivecoating 321 can provide an anti-reflective effect; the anti-reflectiveeffect can be responsive to selected frequencies of incomingelectromagnetic radiation. Also similarly to the first layer 310, thesecond layer's' optical filtering element 322 can be either static orelectrodynamic; when electrodynamic, the second layer's' opticalfiltering element 322 can be responsive to control signals 323 a, 323 b,and the like, to specify individual locations of selected areas 324 ofthe optical filtering element 322, and for what frequencies thoseselected areas 324 are filtered.

As described herein, the first layer 310 can be shaded/inverse-shadedelectrodynamically with respect to particular frequencies or frequencybands, while the second layer 320 can be shaded/inverse-shadedelectrodynamically for luminosity (thus, all frequencies at once, with amonochrome shading/inverse-shading effect).

Combination

In one embodiment, one of the two layers can include a fast-actingadaptive shading element and can be disposed for relatively rapidcontrol of light intensity, while the other one of the two layers caninclude an adaptive electrochromatic effect that selects between (1) aclear state, or (2) in a filtering state to shade/inverse-shade selectedfrequencies or frequency bands. A combination or conjunction of the twolayers can have the effect of rapid reaction to changes in lightintensity, while also adapting to a chromatic balance of an imageavailable to the user.

Visual Effects

The lenses 120 can be coupled to a controlling device accessible by thedigital eyewear 100, such as the control element 160, to control one ormore visual effects to be presented to the patient. The visual effectscan include one or more of:

-   -   shading/inverse-shading, such as reducing or increasing the        luminosity or polarization of one or more pixels of an image        presented to the patient. In one embodiment,        shading/inverse-shading can be provided by one or more of: the        video shading/inverse-shading element 151 a, the polarization        element 151 b, the light injection element 151 c.    -   color shading/inverse-shading, such as reducing or increasing        the intensity of one or more colors (or other frequencies, such        as ultraviolet) in an image presented to the patient. In one        embodiment, color shading/inverse-shading can be provided by one        or more of: the video shading/inverse-shading element 151 a, the        polarization element 151 b, the light injection element 151 c,        as applied to particular sets of colors (or other frequencies,        such as ultraviolet), or the frequency conversion crystal array        151 d.

One or more of the visual effects can be controlled by the controllingdevice accessible by the digital eyewear 100, such as the controlelement 160. This can have the effect that the visual effects areresponsive to one or more of: optical/perceptual parameters, parameterspersonalized to the patient 170, or the patient's mental state. Theoptical/perceptual parameters can include values derived from one ormore of the patient sensors 130, the ambient sensors 140, or feedbackfrom the treatment devices 150. For example, the optical/perceptualparameters, the parameters personalized to the patient 170, or thepatient's mental state, can be derived by the control element 160 fromdynamic eye tracking, such as in response to the gaze direction andfocal length sensor 132 b, the pupillometry sensor 132 a, or otherpatient sensors 130.

For example, the pupillometry sensor 132 a can be coupled to ashading/inverse-shading device, to provide shading/inverse-shading inresponse to the patient's eye. When the pupillometry sensor 132 adetects dilated pupils, such as might occur in low ambient lightconditions, the control element 160 can adjust shading/inverse-shadingto increase luminosity. Similarly, when the pupillometry sensor 132 adetects constricted pupils, such as might occur in high ambient lightconditions (or light conditions including bright lighting, glare, havingthe sun in view, or otherwise), the control element 160 can adjustshading/inverse-shading to decrease luminosity. The reduced or increasedluminosity can be applied to:

-   -   an entire image.    -   a portion of the image at which the patient 170 is looking, such        as in response to gaze direction;    -   a specific region in three-dimensional (3D) space on which the        patient's eye is focused, such as in response to gaze direction        and focal length;    -   a specific object at which the patient 170 is looking, such as        in response to object recognition, facial recognition, or        prediction in response to context;

For example, if the patient's focal length remains relatively constantat a selected distance such as about 24 inches, the digital eyewear 100can determine that the patient is staring at a computer screen. Foranother example, if the patient 170 is receiving audio inputinterpretable as speech, the control element 160 can determine that thepatient 170 is likely looking at the person originating that speech; insuch cases, the control element 160 can shade/inverse-shade a portion ofthe image for a view by the patient 170 of the person originating thatspeech.

-   -   a specific object at which the digital eyewear 100 determines        the patient 170 should be looking, such as in response to a        prediction or assessment with respect to migraines;    -   a message that the digital eyewear 100 presents to the patient        170, such as a directive or suggestion with respect to the        treatment devices 160 or with respect to self-care;    -   a message that the digital eyewear 100 receives for the patient        170, such as an incoming message from a distinct digital eyewear        100, or from another messaging device such as a mobile        telephone, or such as an informative message or an        advertisement. The informative message can be one or more of: a        public alert or a public service message (such as an “Amber        Alert”, a weather alert, or other warning), a message localized        to a particular location or region (such as a danger warning        sign, local map, road sign, or otherwise).

In such cases, the patient sensors 130, including one or more of thepupillometry sensor 132 a, or the gaze direction and focal length sensor132 b, can be coupled to the control element 160. The control element160 can determine a three-dimensional (3D) location or region withrespect to which the patient's attention is focused. The control element160 can receive audio/video input from that location or region, andperform object recognition, facial recognition, or other statisticalassessment of the audio/video input. The control element 160 can controlone or more audio/visual effects to be applied to the audio/video inputbefore that input is presented to the patient. For example, in arelatively noisy environment, the control element 160 can shade audiosignals other than the source of the focused-upon audio, andinverse-shade audio signals from the source of the focused-upon audio,thus improving reception of the focused-upon audio. The control element160 can perform shading/inverse-shading, color shading/inverse-shading,color frequencies transformations, false-coloring (to either or both ofaudio/video frequencies), and other alterations to the audio/video inputbefore that input is presented to the patient, as described herein.

For another example, the patient's optical/perceptual parameters can beresponsive to one or more of the patient sensors 130. In such cases, theoptical/perceptual parameters can be derived from one or more of:

-   -   measurements of optical expression: including whether the        patient's eyes are open/closed, blink rate, whether the        patient's pupils are wide/narrow, whether the patient is        squinting, the patient's rate of eye saccades, and otherwise;    -   measurements of the patient's voice: including voice commands,        frequency measurements of the patient's voice, audio volume, and        otherwise;    -   measurements of the patient's brainwaves, including measurements        in response to an EEG, fMRI, or other brain activity measurement        device;    -   measurements of the patient's environmental conditions:        including responsive to one or more ambient sensors 140;    -   and other determinations with respect to the patient's audio,        video, navigational, augmented reality, algorithmic, spatial,        cognitive, interpretive, or other features.

As Described in the Incorporated Disclosures:

The shading control can be provided by one or more projectors within thewearable optics device. An occlusion effect can be projected on a lensof the wearable optics device. The shading can be provided on a lens ofthe wearable optics device wherein the surrounding area is occluded orreversed. The shading is provided by a polarized filter. The shadingcontrol can be provided by the lenses within the wearable optics device.The shading can be controlled using optical parameters. The opticalparameters include any or any combination of ciliary, pupil, corneal,lens, iris, eyelid, and retina measurements. Materials that canelectrically control any or any combination of chromatic, refractive,diffractive, transparent, reflective properties of the wearable opticsdevice are utilized with the dynamic eye tracking. The lens can be anyor any combination of transparent LCD, LED, OLED, flexible LED, flexibleOLED, transparent matrix, semi-transparent matrix, prism based,holographic, electroluminescence, eletroreflective, dynamic filteringmaterials.

The wearable optics device comprises an electrochromatic material. In asystem and method in accordance with an embodiment one or more elementsare utilized within the wearable optics device to provide imageinformation into the eye. The one or more elements include any or anycombination of a lens projector, retinal projection. The retinalprojection or projector plus prism provide the occlusion.

The wearable optics device includes shading control for the eyewear. Inthe wearable optics device, portions of an image viewed by the wearableoptics device can be shaded to control brightness. The lenses of thewearable optics device can be controlled polarizing, transparent OLED,or projection and prism lenses.

The parameters may include any or any combination of prescriptions forimproving the vision of a user, a zoom feature, a microscope feature,magnifying feature, retinal projection feature. The wearable opticsdevice can be utilized in a simulator. In an embodiment, a focal of thewearable optics device is utilized in conjunction with the dynamic eyetracking.

The parameters can include any or any combination of a zoom feature, amicroscope feature, magnifying feature, illumination feature; a retinalprojection feature. In an embodiment a 360 degree view can be provided.The 360 degree view can be any or any combination of a left or rightpanning, up and down panning, three dimensional rotations.

In another embodiment, an illumination feature is directed to a specificarea based upon the dynamic eye tracking mechanism. A wearable opticsdevice camera feature can filter certain light waves for controlledviewing or visual effects. The filtering feature can include controllingnoise reduction, polarization, and creative effects. The wearable opticsdevice feature can include controlling a stability control for facial orobject focus. In an embodiment optical parameters can be utilized. Theoptical parameters include any of or any combination of ciliary, pupil,corneal, retina, lens, iris measurements. An embodiment may includedetecting head movement. An acoustic wave mechanism may be utilizedwithin the wearable optics device. A brain wave mechanism may beutilized within the wearable optics device. A magnetic wave mechanismmay be utilized within the wearable optics device.

For another example, the patient's mental state, such as one or moreemotions, can be derived from similar elements as those used to predictor assess migraine activity, as described herein. In such cases, theelements used to predict or assess migraine activity can be similarlyused, using similar methods to those described herein with respect tomigraine activity, to predict or assess particular patient emotions. Insuch cases, the patient emotions to be predicted or assessed can includecommon emotional states, such as one or more of: anger, disgust, fear,joy, sadness, surprise, and otherwise.

Predictive Visual Effects

The digital eyewear 100 can predict and assess expected upcomingoptical/perceptual parameters, parameters personalized to the patient170, or patient mental state. In one embodiment, the control element 160of the digital eyewear 100 can determine, in response to patient sensors130 and ambient sensors 140, one or more activities with respect towhich the patient 170 is engaged. In response thereto, the controlelement 160 can determine a predictive assessment of one or more likelyupcoming inputs from patient sensors 130 and ambient sensors 140.

For example, when the patient 170 is looking at a computer screen, thecontrol element 160 can predict a measure of incoming luminance for eachone of a set of frequencies, including blue light and ultraviolet light.In such cases, the control element 160 can predict a measure of incomingvideo and audio noise, and in response to the patient sensors 130, ameasure of expected upcoming patient activation. Patient “activation”can include increases/decreases in one or more of: likelihood of patientmigraine onset or continuation, patient audio/video mental responses,patient responses including eye/head movement or emotions, or otherpatient responses.

FIG. 4

FIG. 4 shows a conceptual drawing of a system including digital eyewearcommunication.

The system can be described herein with respect to elements shown in thefigures, such as:

-   -   the digital eyewear 100;    -   the control element 160, including its computing device 161 and        one or more communicators 162 and their sending/receiving        elements;    -   one or more communication links 210;    -   one or more data repositories 420;    -   one or more treatment servers 430, such as computing servers        disposed to determine more complex assessments of migraine        likelihood and seriousness, and such as medical personnel or        others disposed to assist the patient 170.

The control element 160 for the digital eyewear 100 can be coupled,under control of its computing device 161 and using its communicators162, to the communication links 210. The communication links 210 can becoupled to a communication network such as the internet, by which theycan access one or more of the data repositories 420 or treatment servers430.

As described herein, the digital eyewear 100 can perform its operationsin response to a collective database, such as a collective database thatis remotely maintained and is updated with respect to patientinformation with respect to migraines. For example, each instance ofdigital eyewear 100, that is, digital eyewear 100 for each patient, canreport its information to the data repositories 420 and treatmentservers 430, with the effect that the data repositories 420 andtreatment servers 430 can maintain collective data with respect topatients and their possible migraines.

Collective data can also include information injected into datarepositories 420 by known data sources, such as weather reports,pollution control reports, and allergen reports. For example, known datasources can associate information with respect to weather (e.g., currentand predicted weather conditions), pollution (e.g., current andpredicted air pollution levels), and allergens (e.g., current andpredicted pollen counts), and can deliver that information to digitaleyewear 100 in response to GPS location information. This can have theeffect that each instance of digital eyewear 100 does not need toindependently measure weather, pollution, or allergens, and does notneed to attempt to predict future conditions thereof.

As described herein, the digital eyewear 100 can also perform itsoperations in coordination with other instances of digital eyewear 100,such as for example coordinating action to ameliorate or treat migrainesin response to nearby patients 170 and their migraine activity. Forexample, when a first instance of digital eyewear 100 reports asubstantial disturbance that might have an emotional effect on a patient170 using a second instance of digital eyewear 100, the first digitaleyewear 100 can inform the second digital eyewear 100 thereof. The firstdigital eyewear 100 can communicate with the second digital eyewear 100under control of their computing devices 161 and using theircommunicators 162.

For another example, when a first patient 170 using a first instance ofdigital eyewear 100 and a second patient 170 using a second instance ofdigital eyewear 100 are participating in a joint activity, the firstinstance of digital eyewear 100 can inform the second instance ofdigital eyewear 100 of any changes in light conditions that affect thefirst patient 170 and that might affect the second patient 170. In suchcases, the first instance of digital eyewear 100 can also inform thesecond instance of digital eyewear 100 of any alterations to lighteffects that the first instance of digital eyewear 100 decided to apply,so that the first patient 170 was not negatively affected thereby. Thesecond instance of digital eyewear 100 can choose to apply similaralterations to light effects, so that the second patient 170 is notnegatively affected thereby.

In one such case, a removal of cloud cover might cause a suddenbrightening of an environment where the first patient 170 and the secondpatient 170 are performing an activity. While this Application primarilydescribes cases in which removal of cloud cover might affect an outsideactivity, in the context of the invention, there is no particularrequirement for any such limitation. For example, removal of cloud covercan affect light through a window. Alternatively, sudden imposition ofcloud cover might cause sudden darkening, or a bright light might beswitched on or off. The sudden brightening/darkening can be detected bythe first instance of digital eyewear 100, which can inform the secondinstance of digital eyewear 100 without the latter having to make thesame determination for itself. Similar procedures can apply forapplication of a particular range of frequencies, or for glare, orotherwise.

Alternatively, when the first patient 170 and the second patient 170 arenot similarly situated, such as when the first patient 170 and thesecond patient 170 have differing reactivity to light regarding migraineeffects or photophobia, the first instance of digital eyewear 100 andthe second instance of digital eyewear 100 can determine to takediffering steps in response to changes in the light environment. Forexample, when the first patient 170 is more sensitive than the secondpatient 170 to migraine effects or photophobia, the first instance ofdigital eyewear 100 can take more aggressive action than the secondinstance of digital eyewear 100, to reduce the likelihood orseverity/duration of migraine effects or photophobia.

FIG. 5

FIG. 5 shows a conceptual drawing of a method including operation ofdigital eyewear.

A method 500 includes flow points and method steps as described herein.

Although these flow points and method steps are (by the nature of thewritten word) described in a particular order, in the context of theinvention there is no particular requirement for any particular order.This description does not limit the method to this particular order.They might be performed in a different order, or concurrently, orpartially concurrently, or otherwise in a parallel, pipelined,quasi-parallel, or other manner. They might be performed in part,paused, and returned to for completion. They might be performed asco-routines or otherwise.

One or more portions of the method 500 are sometimes described as beingperformed by particular elements of the system described with respect toFIG. 1 and FIG. 2, or sometimes by “the method” itself. When a flowpoint or method step is described as being performed by “the method,” itcan be performed by one or more of those elements, by one or moreportions of those elements, by an element not described with respect tothe figure, by a combination or conjunction thereof, or otherwise.

Beginning of Method

A flow point 500A indicates a beginning of the method.

The digital eyewear 100 (shown in FIG. 1) performs operations formonitoring, detecting, and predicting migraines, for preventingmigraines, for treating migraines, and for training patients 170 toconduct self-care with respect to migraines. These operations can beperformed in real-time. Similarly, the digital eyewear 100 performsoperations for monitoring, detecting, and predicting photophobiaeffects, for preventing photophobia effects, for treating photophobiaeffects, and for training patients 170 to conduct self-care with respectto photophobia effects. Similarly, the digital eyewear 100 performsoperations for monitoring, detecting, and predicting negative sensory(whether visual, auditory, or otherwise) effects from changing ambientconditions, for preventing negative sensory effects from changingambient conditions, and for treating negative sensory effects fromchanging ambient conditions.

The digital eyewear 100 can be disposed to receive information frompatient sensors and ambient sensors, to maintain a history of patientmigraine activity (and photophobia effects) and any ameliorative ortreatment activity thereof, either locally or at a data repository 420(shown in FIG. 2), to determine one or more correlations between sensordata and either migraine effects or photophobia effects, either locallyor at a treatment server 430 (shown in FIG. 2), to predict and treatmigraines or photophobia effects (possibly with the assistance of atreatment server 430), and to conduct patient training.

Monitoring Patient Reactions

At a flow point 510, the digital eyewear 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is readyto monitor patient sensors 130 and ambient sensors 140.

At a step 511, the digital eyewear 100 receives direct information fromthe patient sensors 130 and ambient sensors 140. The control system 160can determine derivative information with respect to that directinformation, such as at least first and second time-derivatives thereof,at least first and second statistical moments thereof, and such ascorrelations between that information and any other informationavailable to the digital eyewear 100. For example, as described herein,the control system 160 can determine correlations between thatinformation and patient self-reports of migraine effects or photophobiaeffects, possibly with the assistance of one or more treatment servers430 (shown in FIG. 2).

At a step 512, the digital eyewear 100 collects a set of historyinformation from the patient sensors 130 and ambient sensors 140, thetreatment devices 150, and patient self-reports of migraine effects orphotophobia effects. As noted with respect to the just-previous step,the control system 160 can determine correlations using that historyinformation.

At a step 513, the digital eyewear 100 exchanges the history informationwith one or more data repositories 420 and treatment servers 430. In oneembodiment, medical personnel, such as at a neurologist's office, candetermine a set of baseline information, or the patient 170 can collectinformation independently for a period of time.

In one embodiment, the patient can self-report on migraines orphotophobia effects by using an input device on the digital eyewear 100,or by using a smartphone app on a mobile device (not shown) that iscoupled to one of the communicators 162 on the digital eyewear 100. Forexample, the digital eyewear 100 can include one or more buttons bywhich the patient 170 can provide input to the digital eyewear 100. Foranother example, the patient 170 can use eye gaze and eye movement tointeract with an augmented reality view provided by the digital eyewear100. For another example, the patient 170 can use hand or limb movementto interact with a external-facing camera available to the digitaleyewear 100, with the effect that the digital eyewear 100 can detectpatient signals indicating migraine effects. For another example, thedigital eyewear 100 can receive patient verbalization about migraineeffects, which it can transcribe into information or which it can sendto a treatment server 430 for transcription into information.

Patient input can be patient-initiated or can be in response to arequest for information from the digital eyewear 100.

As part of this step, the digital eyewear 100 can use its communicator162 to exchange messages with a smartphone app on a mobile device, suchas to obtain information from the patient 170. For example, thesmartphone app can ask the patient 170 to describe their symptoms, toidentify where they have pain, to identify the nature and severity ofthe pain (such as: sharp versus throbbing, where localized, mild orpainful or very painful or debilitating), to identify any currentemotions or other stressors, to identify who or what is present nearthem, to identify whether they perceive an “aura” and its nature, toidentify what medica-tions they have taken, to identify what they weredoing beforehand, to request whether they would like an emergencyresponse, and possibly other questions.

As part of this step, the digital eyewear 100 can use its communicator162 to exchange other and further messages with a smartphone app on amobile device, such as to obtain information from the smartphone thatthe patient 170 has entered in the past. In one embodiment, the patient170 can maintain a “migraine diary” or a “photophobia diary” using thesmartphone app, similar to current migraine diaries maintained on paper,except that the digital eyewear 100 can obtain information from theonline migraine diary or photophobia diary for use as historyinformation with respect to the patient's migraines or photophobiaeffects.

The method proceeds with the next flow point.

Detecting Migraines and/or Photophobia

At a flow point 520, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to determinemigraine onset and to detect ongoing migraines. Similarly, the digitaleyewear 100 is also ready to determine the beginning or continuation ofphotophobia effects.

At a step 521, the digital eyewear 100 can detect migraine activity orphotophobia effects, either in response to patient input (as describedherein), or in response to information from patient sensors 130.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear 100 determines only a likelihoodthat migraine onset or migraine activity is occurring, or thatphotophobia effects are occurring, or a combination thereof. Forexample, the control element 160 can be responsive to a set of inputparameters, and can determine from those input parameters a likelihoodof whether a migraine is occurring (whether “pro-dome,” “migraine,”“aura,” or “post-dome”), or whether a photophobia effect is occurring.In such cases, the control element 160 can give substantial weight tothe patient's assessment of a migraine or a photophobia effect, butthere is no special requirement to take the patient's assessment asconclusive. The patient 170 might have erroneously tapped an inputbutton indicating a migraine or a photophobia effect, or the patient 170might have inaccurately concluded that a severe headache was a migraineor a photophobia effect. Absent evidence otherwise, the control element160 can use the patient's assessment as an indicator to adjust its ownpredictive parameters, as described herein.

For example, the digital eyewear 100 can determine a likelihood ofmigraine onset or the beginning of a photophobia effect, either in thenear future, or in the case of a migraine, by recognition of the“prodome” portion of migraine activity. In such examples, the digitaleyewear 100 can determine a measure of likelihood, such as either anumerical probability estimate, or a bucketed probability estimate ofthe form “very likely,” “likely,” “somewhat likely,” or “relativelyremote.”

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear 100 can determine a likelihood ofmigraine onset, or the beginning of a photophobia effect, in response tovisual input or light intensity. For example, sudden glare, rapidlyflashing bright light, and lighting that changes with unstablefrequency, can each be correlated with migraine onset.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can be responsive to totallight intensity, to total light intensity in the blue (approximately450-490 nm) and ultraviolet (primarily<˜300 nm) frequency ranges, and tototal light intensity applied to selected regions of the retina. Forexample, the control element 160 can be responsive to total lightintensity, or to total light intensity in selected frequency ranges,applied to specific portions of the retina, such as those portions ofthe retina including the cone receptors or those portions of the retinaincluding the rod receptors. Similarly, the control element 160 can beresponsive to total light intensity, or to total light intensity inselected frequency ranges, for light infalling on a peripheral visionportion of the retina.

For example, the control element 160 can be responsive to total lightintensity (whether total intensity or in selected frequency ranges), orto light intensity (whether total intensity or in selected frequencyranges) infalling on specific portions of the retina (such as thoseportions of the retina including the cone receptors or those portions ofthe retina including the rod receptors, or such as those portions of theretina including a peripheral vision portion of the retina. In suchcases, the control element 160 can be responsive to first and secondtime-derivatives, and to a frequency of modulation—such as a 60 Hzmodulation for light bulbs, or an unstable frequency of modulation forother light sources. In such cases, the measurement can be (a) withrespect to total light intensity, (b) with respect to total lightintensity in the blue and ultraviolet frequency ranges, (c) with respectto total light intensity actually applied to specific portions of theretina. For another example, the control element 160 can also beresponsive to derivative information thereof, such as at least first andsecond time-derivatives thereof, or at least first and secondstatistical moments thereof.

For another example, as described herein, the control element 160 can beresponsive to a measurement of pupillary diameter (such as found by apupillometry sensor 132 a). In such cases, the control element 160 canbe responsive to at least first and second time-derivatives thereof, toat least first and second statistical moments thereof, to a frequency ofmodulation, and to a match between right and left eye—such as whetherthe pupillary diameter itself changes suddenly, or vibrates, or isunstable. It is believed that unusual changes in pupillary diameter arecorrelated with migraine onset and migraine activity.

For another example, when 100 candela/square-meter is applied to thepatient's eyes, it could occur that only the smaller amount of about 10candela/square-meter, where the ratio from incoming light to the amountof light that actually reaches the retina is approximately πr² (where ris the pupillary diameter) and it could occur that an even smalleramount is applied to the patient's rods or cones. It could also occurthat an even smaller amount is applied to the patient's retina in viewof color filtering due to the iris. It could also occur that a smalleramount is applied to a peripheral vision portion of the patient'sretina. In such cases, the control element 160 can be responsive tototal EEG activity, which can be responsive to light excitation of thepatient's retina, with the effect that total EEG activity, or pupillarydiameter, or a combination thereof, can be used as a proxy for infallinglight on the patient's rods or cones, or a proxy for selectedfrequencies of infalling light on the patient's rods or cones, or aproxy for infalling light on a peripheral vision portion of thepatient's retina. In such cases, the control element 160 can also beresponsive to at least first and second time-derivatives thereof, to atleast first and second statistical moments thereof.

For another example, the control element 160 can be responsive to acomplexity of an input image, or a rapidity or complexity with which theinput image changes, or a rapidity or complexity with which a peripheralvision portion of the input image changes; this can be measured inresponse to a set of high-frequency components of a 2D Fourier transformof the input image, and in response to at least a first and secondtime-derivative thereof, or at least first and second statisticalmoments thereof.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear 100 can determine a likelihood ofmigraine onset in response to audio input or sound intensity. Forexample, sudden loud noises can be correlated with migraine onset. Forexample, discordant notes and disturbing music can be correlated withmigraine onset. For another example, similar to the responses to lightdescribed herein, the digital eyewear 100 can be responsive to totalsound intensity, to sound intensity at selected frequencies (such ahigh-frequency whine), to sound intensity at discordant intervals (suchas relative sound intensity at unusual frequency ratios or with painfulbeat frequencies, and to sound intensity with unusual time intervals(such as fifth notes or seventh notes, instead of quarter notes or halfnotes).

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear 100 can determine a currentmigraine event, such as an “attack” or “aura” portion of migraineactivity, or a “post-dome” portion of migraine activity, or a currentphotophobia effect, such as a beginning or a continuation of an effect,or a winding down of a photophobia effect. For example, the controlelement 160 can determine a measure of seriousness of the migraine eventor the photophobia effect, such as a measure of pain, or a measure oflikelihood that the migraine or the photophobia effect will furtherdevelop into a more debilitating event, or a measure of likelihood thatthe migraine or the photophobia effect is indicative of a more seriousmedical trauma. For another example, the control element 160 can beresponsive to similar sensors and to similar inputs from those sensorsas when predicting migraine onset or the beginning of a photophobiaeffect. In such cases, the control element 160 can be additionallyresponsive to a measure of whether the patient's response to sensoryinputs is increasing in intensity or discordancy/complexity, wherein thecontrol element 160 can determine that the migraine activity or thephotophobia effect is likely to be increasing in intensity.

At a step 522, in one embodiment, when the digital eyewear 100determines that the migraine or the photophobia effect is sufficientlyserious, the digital eyewear 100 can use its communicators 162 to obtainassistance from one or more treatment servers 430. For example, when thedigital eyewear 100 determines that the patient 170 is seriouslydisabled, it can call for assistance. For another example, when thedigital eyewear 100 determines that the patient 170 is disabled and isalso currently operating heavy machinery (e.g., is driving anautomobile), it can call for assistance. For another example, when thedigital eyewear 100 determines that the patient 170 is at risk for amore serious medical trauma (such as a stroke or other brain trauma), itcan call for assistance, possibly including a request for help frommedical personnel or emergency responders.

At a step 523, the digital eyewear 100 maintains a record of themigraine onset likelihood or the migraine event, or similar informationfor photophobia effects, and reports that record to one or more datarepositories 420.

The method proceeds with the next flow point.

Prediction of Migraines and/or Photophobia

At a flow point 530, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to predictmigraine onset or ongoing migraines. Similarly, the digital eyewear 100is ready to predict the beginning of photophobia effects or continuationof photophobia effects.

At a step 531, the digital eyewear 100 accesses the record of migraineonset likelihood and migraine events, or similar information withrespect to photophobia effects, from one or more data repositories 420and from the memory of its computing device 161.

At a step 532, the control element 160 assigns a set of weights to eachsensor value it receives, such as from the patient sensors 130 and theambient sensors 140. As the sensor values from many of the patientsensors 130 and the ambient sensors 140 are time varying, the digitaleyewear 100 assigns one weighting value (or a time-varying function fromwhich it can determine a weighting value) to each such time series. Forexample, the control element 160 can receive the set of weights, or theset of functions from which time varying weights are determined, fromone or more data repositories 420 or from one or more treatment servers430.

At a step 533, the control element 160 conducts an “adaptive tuning” (or“self-tuning”) technique to adjust the weights it has assigned to eachsensor value (or the time varying weights it has assigned to each timevarying sensor value). For example, the control element 160 can use anadaptive control technique to minimize error between the weighteddetermination of results (in response to sensor inputs) and the actualresults (in response to actual measurement). In such cases, the controlelement 160 can be responsive to actual determination of migraineactivity or photophobia effects to adjust its parameters for futureprediction of migraine activity or photophobia effects from inputsensors.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can determine its predictionof likelihood of future migraine activity or photophobia effects inresponse to input sensors using a linear weighted model:Pr _(M)(t)=SUM_(i)ω_(i)(t)s _(i)(t)

where the sum is computed for all weights ω_(i) and all sensor valuess_(i)

and where the value SUM_(i)ω_(i)(t)s_(i)(t) is a dot product for thesequence of time values

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can compare its predictionPr_(M)(t) with the actual later determination of whether a migraineevent or a photophobia effect actually occurred at time t. (Inalternative embodiments, separate prediction parameters ω_(i) can bemaintained for migraine prediction and for photophobia prediction.)Depending on whether the actual later determination is yes or no (thatis, there was a migraine event or a photophobia effect or not), thecontrol element 160 can adjust each of the assigned weights ω_(i) inresponse to its contribution to a measure of error, usually the squareof the difference between Pr_(M)(t) and the actual later determination.See Wikipedia (Self-tuning), en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-tuning, andWikipedia (Adaptive control), en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_control,and references cited therein, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

While this Application primarily describes use of adaptive tuning, inthe context of the invention, there is no particular requirement for anysuch limitation. Any time series adjustment technique would be suitable,and could be used in the context described.

For example, the control element 160 could use an adaptive recursivemodel (in which each weight is adjusted by a fraction a of itscontribution to the computed error). For another example, the controlelement 160 could use another measure of error, such as a Frobenius Normwith a parameter other than the Euclidean Norm. See Wolfram MathWorld(Frobenius Norm), mathworld.wolfram.com/FrobeniusNorm, and referencescited therein, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

For another example, the control element 160 could use a recurrentneural network (RNN), to determine a sequence of parameters to apply toa set of time-delayed values of each sensor. The control element 160 caninclude a sequence of N hidden state values, each to be applied to oneof the past N measured values, and each to be updated after a newmeasured value is seen. Thus, where ω_(i) represents a vector of weightsfor the past N measured values, s_(i) represents the actual measuredvalues, the ∘ operation represents a vector dot product, and the tanhfunction is separately applied to each element of the vector:ω*_(i)=ω_(i)±tanh(ω_(i) ∘s _(i))

(where the ± function is applied as plus/minus in response to whetherthe prediction was accurate)

with the effect that new weights ω*_(i) are adjusted in response to theold weights ω_(i) and the sensor values s_(i), andPr _(M)=ω*_(i) ∘s _(i)

with the effect that the computed probability is also a dot product ofthe sequence of time values

The weight vector ω_(i) is repeatedly updated for each new sample, andthe weight vector is adjusted positively whenever the result is“correct” (such as, Pr_(M)>some threshold, e.g., 0.6, and the patient170 reports a migraine or a photophobia effect; or Pr_(M)<some otherthreshold, e.g., 0.4, and the patient 170 reports no migraine orphotophobia effect), and adjusted negatively whenever the result is“incorrect” (such as, Pr_(M)<some threshold, e.g., 0.4, and the patient170 reports a migraine or a photophobia effect; or Pr_(M)>some otherthreshold, e.g., 0.6, and the patient 170 reports no migraine orphotophobia effect), and where there is no adjustment for ambiguity(such as, 0.4<Pr_(M)<0.6). In alternative embodiments, separateprediction parameters ω_(i) can be maintained for migraine predictionand for photophobia prediction.

After a relatively large number of sample sensor values s_(i), theadjusted weights ω_(i) should accurately reflect a measure of likelihoodthat the patient 170 is about to have a migraine or a photophobiaeffect. The sensor values and weights can be determined separately foreach patient 170, collectively for multiple patients, or independentlyin response to whether patients 170 have “chronic” migraines or not, orin response to other factors. See Wikipedia (Recurrent Neural Network),en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurrent_neural_network, and references citedtherein, and A. Karpathy, “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of RecurrentNeural Networks”, karpathy.github.io/2015/05/21/rnn-effectiveness/, andreferences cited therein, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

While this Application primarily describes, in the context oftime-delayed values of each sensor, use of a recurrent neural network,in the context of the invention, there is no particular requirement forany such limitation. Any other machine learning (ML) technique would besuitable, and could be used in the context described. For example, thecontrol element 160 could use a Kohonen Network or a Random Foresttechnique to separate the set of possible set of earlier time-delayedvalues into a set of clusters, each with its own set of predictive orevaluative parameters. See Wikipedia (Machine Learning),en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_learning, and references cited therein,and Wikipedia (Artificial Intelligence),en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence, and references citedtherein, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

This Application describes methods by which the digital eyewear 100 canpredict migraines or photophobia effects. The digital eyewear 100 candetermine, in a similar manner, whether the patient 170 actually has acurrent migraine or photophobia effect, whether a particular treatmentwill ameliorate the patient's migraine or photophobia effect, whetherthe migraine or photophobia effect will recur, whether a particularpatient 170 will respond to a suggested method of patient self-care, andwhether a particular patient 170 will respond to a particular method ofreinforcing successful patient self-care (above and beyond the patient170 having been reinforced by actual success of the self-care byavoidance or treatment of a migraine or photophobia effect).

At a step 534, the control element 160 can report its adjusted weightsto one or more data repositories 420 or to one or more treatment servers430. In one embodiment, the control element 160 can report its adjustedweights if they differ substantially from the original weights thecontrol element 160 received.

At a step 535, the receiving data repositories 420 or treatment servers430 adjust their stored weights in response to the adjustments reportedby the control element 160. In one embodiment, the receiving datarepositories 420 or treatment servers 430 maintain their stored weightsin response to multiple digital eyewear 100 devices; thus, they adjusttheir stored weights only when adjustments reported by individualcontrol elements 160 are correlated and indicate that their storedweights were not thoroughly accurate.

The method proceeds with the next flow point.

Prevention of Migraines and/or Photophobia

At a flow point 540, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to prevent futuremigraines. Similarly, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to prevent futurephotophobia effects.

At a step 541, the digital eyewear 100 receives time-varying informationfrom the patient sensors 130 and the ambient sensors 140.

At a step 542, the control element 160 predicts whether migraine onsetis about to occur near term, or whether a photophobia effect is about tobegin near term.

At a step 543, the control element 160 directs the digital eyewear 100,such as the lenses 120, to adjust the augmented reality view to reducethe probability of a future migraine or photophobia effect.

In one embodiment, as described herein, the digital eyewear 100 can beresponsive to visual triggers of migraine onset, or beginning of aphotophobia effect, such as by canceling those visual triggers in anaugmented reality view. For example, the digital eyewear 100 can cancelthose visual triggers by shading/inverse-shading of those visualtriggers. In such cases, shading/inverse-shading can be performed by oneor more of the following:

-   -   LCD elements in the lenses 120, electrically controlled between        clear and opaque states;    -   for selected frequencies, by antireflective coatings in the        lenses 120, or by electrically controlled adaptive        antireflective coatings therein;    -   for selected frequencies, by electrically controlled e-chromatic        elements embedded in the lenses 120;    -   for selected frequencies, by electrically controlled        micromechanical elements (such as MEMS) embedded in the lenses        120;    -   for selected frequencies, by electrically controlled elements        constructed from one or more of: grapheme, astrophotonics,        nanomaterials, electro-nanomaterials, electrophotonics,        electropolymers, or other materials.

For another example, the digital eyewear 100 can direct the lenses 120to adopt a consistent single color, such as red (almost literally “rosecolored glasses”), amber, or green; this can have the effect that thepatient 170 has, for a selected duration, an augmented reality view thatis skewed toward a first set of selected frequencies or away from asecond set of selected frequencies For another example, the digitaleyewear 100 can replace those visual triggers with other input imageelements in the augmented reality view. For another example, the digitaleyewear 100 can inject visual calming elements, such as light in thegreen (520-560 nm) frequency range, which has been found both to reducethe likelihood of migraine onset and to alleviate migraine effects.

For another example, the digital eyewear 100 can direct the lenses 120to adjust the total light reaching the retina so that the eye operatesboth its rods and its cones. Rods detect luminance, and operateprimarily in relatively dimmer light; when primarily rods are operative,this is called scotopic vision mode (“night vision”), and can includebetter depth perception. Cones have three types, generally referred toas red, green, and blue, although there is substantial overlap in thesensitivity of different types of cones. Cones operate primarily inrelatively brighter light; when primarily cones are operative, this iscalled photopic mode (“color vision”), and can include better objectrecognition. A middle range in which both rods and cones are activeoccurs in relative twilight; this is called mesopic vision mode, whichmay be an optimum vision mode. It may occur that deliberately causingthe patient's eyes to operate in mesopic vision mode can be valuable inpreventing or ameliorating migraines.

In one embodiment, as described herein, the digital eyewear 100 can beresponsive to audio triggers of migraine onset, such as by cancelingthose audio triggers in an augmented reality “view”. For example, theaugmented reality “view” can include sound effects as well as, or inlieu of, light effects. In such cases, the digital eyewear 100 caninclude earpieces (not shown) that can provide audio inputs to thepatient 170. In such cases, the audio inputs can add to or replaceexternal audio inputs. In such cases, the audio inputs can cancel eitherall frequencies of sound when external audio inputs exceed a selectedthreshold, can cancel only selected frequencies of sound when thoseselected frequencies in the external audio inputs, or can add newselected frequencies of sound when audio triggers are determined toraise the likelihood of migraine onset above an acceptable threshold.

After reading this Application, those skilled in the art can see thatthis can operate similarly to shading/inverse-shading, only as appliedto sound in addition to, or instead of, light. Similarly,shading/inverse-shading can be applied to smells, or other senses, inaddition to, or instead of, light or sound.

In one embodiment, prevention of migraines or photophobia effects can beparticularized to individual patients 170. For example, each patient 170might have an individual response to light, sound, smell, or othersenses. For another example, each patient 170 might have an individualresponse to their sleep cycle, and thus might have a differentialresponse to time of day and day of the week. For another example, eachpatient 170 might have an individual response to their menstrual cycle(when they actually have one), and thus might have a differentialresponse to day of the month. For another example, each patient 170might have an individual response to the ambient environment, as somepatients 170 might be more sensitive to weather, to pollutants, or toallergens (and when sensitive to allergens, to different allergens). Foranother example, each patient 170 might have an individual response tomedication, such as prescription medication (e.g., sedatives) ornon-prescription medication (e.g., antihistamines).

The method proceeds with the next flow point.

Treatment of Migraines and/or Photophobia

At a flow point 550, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to treat currentmigraines. Similarly, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to treatcurrently ongoing photophobia effects.

In one embodiment, the digital eyewear 100 treats current migraines orphotophobia effects similarly to preventing future migraines orphotophobia effects, with the primary difference being that the controlelement 160 can be responsive to the patient's actual migraine responseor actual photophobia effect, rather to a prediction thereof. Forexample, the digital eyewear 100 can be disposed to reduce the length orseverity of the current migraine or photophobia effect, or to reduce thelikelihood of the current migraine or photophobia effect increasing inseverity or reaching a dangerous status. In such cases, whether thedigital eyewear 100 prefers to reduce the length of the current migraineor photophobia effect, or to reduce its severity, or to reduce thelikelihood of an increase in severity, can be responsive to the patient170, or can be responsive to medical parameters received from datarepositories 420 or treatment servers 430, or can be responsive toemergency responders or other medical personnel.

For another example, the digital eyewear 100 can be disposed to causeits communicators 162 to exchange messages with one or more datarepositories 420, treatment servers 430, or emergency responders orother medical personnel, with respect to the current migraine orphotophobia effect. For another example, as described herein, in theevent of a sufficiently severe migraine or photophobia effect, ormigraine/photophobia occurring sufficiently severe exogenous conditions(such as when the patient 170 is driving an automobile or operatingother heavy machinery), the digital eyewear 100 can be disposed to causeits communicators 162 to request assistance from medical personnel oremergency responders.

Training Self-Care

At a flow point 560, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to train patientsto improve their self-care.

As described herein, the patient can engage in actions to reduce thelikelihood of migraine onset and to ameliorate a current migraine.Similarly, the patient can engage in actions to reduce the likelihood ofbeginning of a photophobia effect and to ameliorate an ongoingphotophobia effect. The digital eyewear 100 can alert the patient whenthe likelihood of migraine onset (or beginning of a photophobia effect)exceeds an acceptable threshold, and suggest that the patient 170 takeaction to alleviate the problem. When the patient 170 does take thesuggested action, or any other action with substantial self-care effect,the digital eyewear 100 can provide the patient 170 with positivefeedback, hopefully reinforcing patient efforts at self-care.

At a step 561, the digital eyewear 100 receives time-varying informationfrom the patient sensors 130 and the ambient sensors 140.

At a step 562, the control element 160 predicts whether migraine onset(or beginning of a photophobia effect) is about to occur near term.

At a step 563, the control element 160 directs the digital eyewear 100,such as the lenses 120, to adjust the augmented reality view to alertthe patient 170 with respect to the likelihood of migraine onset (orbeginning of a photophobia effect), and to suggest efforts at self-care.

At a step 564, the control element 160 receives information from thepatient sensors 130 indicative of whether the patient 170 has madeefforts at self-care.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can determine whether thelikelihood of migraine offset (or beginning of a photophobia effect) hasbeen reduced, and can deem that the patient 170 has made efforts atself-care whenever this is so.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can adjust the augmentedreality view to ask the patient 170 whether they have engaged in thesuggested self-care, and can deem that the patient 170 has done sowhenever the patient 170 answers affirmatively.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can determine, in response tothe patient sensors 130 and the ambient sensors 140, whether the patient170 has engaged in the suggested self-care. For example, if the digitaleyewear 100 has suggested that the patient 170 dim the lights, thecontrol element 160 can examine the patient sensors 130 to determine ifthe patient's eyes have been receiving less light, and can examine theambient sensors 140 to determine if the ambient light level has beenreduced. In such cases, the control element 160 can determine whetherthe patient 170 has engaged in the suggested self-care.

At a step 565, when the control element 160 deems that the patient 170has engaged in the suggested self-care, the digital eyewear 100 canreinforce the patient's action.

In one embodiment, the control element 160 can adjust the augmentedreality view to congratulate the patient 170 for engaging in thesuggested self-care. For example, the control element 160 can present amessage to the patient 170 saying so. For another example, the controlelement 160 can gamify the self-care by awarding the patient 170 aselected number of “experience points” for engaging in the suggestedself-care. In such cases, medical personnel can optionally reward thepatient 170 with extra attention (a congratulatory phone call), withgift cards (insurance companies might find it less expensive to give outa free Big Mac™ than to pay for another doctor visit), with stickers (“Iprevented a migraine!”), or with some other positive reinforcement.

The method continues with the next flow point.

End of Method

At a flow point 500B, the method 500 is finished, and ready to bere-performed.

FIG. 6

FIG. 6 shows a conceptual drawing of digital eyewear used with augmentedand virtual reality.

The use of the digital eyewear can be described herein with respect toelements shown in the figures, such as:

-   -   one or more digital eyewear 100 devices, such as shown in FIGS.        1 and 2;    -   the patient 170;    -   a region 610 near the patient 170, lighting/audio sources 611        therein, and objects 612 therein;    -   an external reality view 620;    -   one or more augmented reality views 630.

The digital eyewear 100 can be disposed at the patient 170, such as whenthe digital eyewear includes a headset described with respect to FIG. 1.Alternatively, the digital eyewear 100 can be affixed to or implanted inthe patient 170, such as when the digital eyewear 100 includes one ormore lenses 120 described with respect to FIG. 2, or such as when thedigital eyewear 100 is surgically implanted. As described herein, thepatient 170 can have their vision, hearing, or other senses, altered bythe digital eyewear 100. As also described herein, the patient 170 canhave all or part of the information presented to their vision, hearing,or other senses, replaced by the digital eyewear 100.

Patient Environment

A region 610 near the patient 170 can include one or more lighting/audiosources 611. Lighting sources 611 might include incoming sunlight, lightreflected by external objects (such as glare), and light generated orreflected by one or more objects 612. Objects 612 that generate lightcan include lamps, television screens, computer screens and mobiledevice screens, and other light-emitters. Objects 612 that reflect lightcan include glass and shiny surfaces; nearly all objects 612 reject atleast some light for at least some frequencies.

Similarly, audio sources 611 might include sound from outside theregion, and sound generated by one or more objects 612. Objects 612 thatgenerate sound can include people talking, electronic speakers,household appliances, office equipment; nearly all objects 612 generateat least some sound when they collide with another object.Lighting/audio sources 611 can also include objects that generatesignals perceivable by the patient in one or more other senses,including smell, touch, and otherwise.

Other objects 612 can include a second digital eyewear 100, whethercurrently worn by another patient 170 or otherwise, and one or morecommunication devices 613, such as a cellular phone or a wi-fi router(such as a device performing an IEEE 802.11 protocol or a variantthereof). The digital eyewear 100 worn by the patient 170 cancommunicate with the second digital eyewear 100 and with thecommunication devices 613, as described herein. Similar to thecommunication links 210 described with respect to FIG. 4, thecommunication devices 613 can be coupled to a communication network suchas the internet.

External Reality

The external reality view 620 can be responsive to a location of thepatient 170 in the region 610, to the lighting sources 611, to theobjects 612, and possibly to other effects that might affect thepatient's senses. Typically, the external reality view 620 includes anelement responsive to each individual lighting source 611 and eachobject 612, such as when a table is illuminated by both incomingsunlight and a computer screen 612 c.

The digital eyewear 100 can receive the external reality view 620, suchas in response to light input to the lenses 120. The digital eyewear 100can couple the external reality view 620 to the control element 160. Thecontrol element 160 can process all or part of the external reality view620. The control element 160 can operate as described herein in responsethereto, and in response to the patient sensors 130 and the ambientsensors 140, and possibly in response to the patient 170, one or moredata repositories 420, and one or more treatment servers 430.

In response to the external reality view 620 (and patient sensors 130,ambient sensors 140, the patient 170, data repositories 420, treatmentservers 430), the digital eyewear 100 can monitor and record any “bad”features and any “good” features of those inputs. The “bad” features ofthose inputs are correlated with increasing the likelihood of, orincreasing the severity of, the patient's migraine activity. The “good”features of those inputs are correlated with decreasing the likelihoodof, or decreasing the severity of, the patient's migraine activity orphotophobia effect. Features can be correlated with migraine onset or“prodome” phase, headache or aura phases, “post-dome” phase, or theabsence of migraine activity. Similarly, features can be correlated withstages of a photophobia effect, including a beginning of the effect, anongoing effect, or a termination of the effect.

In response to bad/good features, the digital eyewear can detect andpredict migraine s (or photophobia effects), in real-time, as describedherein. Similarly, in response thereto, the digital eyewear 100 can alsomonitor any bad/good features thereof, and record time-series data aboutthem.

Augmented Reality

The digital eyewear 100 can provide an augmented reality view 630 topresent to the patient 170 in addition to or in lieu of the externalreality view 620. When the digital eyewear 100 determines that somefeature of the external reality view 620 is a bad/good featurecorrelated with increasing/decreasing migraines or photophobia effects,the digital eyewear 100 can remove/reduce bad features, orinject/increase good features, or otherwise provide an augmented realityview 630 with a better feature mix than the external reality view 620.This can have the effect that the patient 170 sees/hears an augmentedreality view 630 that is better for them, in that it has lesserlikelihood/severity for the patient's migraine activity or photophobiaeffects.

Treatment Activity

When the patient 170 sees/hears an augmented reality view 630 with thatfeature removed or mitigated, this can have the effect of helpingprevent a patient migraine or photophobia effect. Similarly, when thepatient 170 already has a migraine activity or a photophobia effectongoing, this can have the effect of helping treat the patient migraineactivity or photophobia effect.

Similarly, the digital eyewear 100 can determine when that one or moreof the treatment devices 150 can help with the patient's migraineactivity or photophobia effect, either by improving the bad/goodfeatures of the augmented reality view 630, or by otherwise decreasingthe likelihood/severity of the patient's migraine activity orphotophobia effect. When the digital eyewear 100 determines that thetreatment devices 150 can help, it can warn the patient 170, or promptfor consent from the patient 170. Having warned the patient 170, orobtained consent, the digital eyewear 100 can activate the treatmentdevice 150.

To warn or prompt the patient 170, the digital eyewear 100 can inject amessage to the patient 170 into the augmented reality view 630. Forexample, the digital eyewear 100 can inject an image of text into aportion of the augmented reality view 630, such as a corner thereof. Toattract the patient's attention, the digital eyewear 100 can cause thetext to blink or scroll, or otherwise behave so that the patient 170adjusts their gaze direction or focus to include the text. The patient170 can confirm the warning or grant/deny consent by an input to thedigital eyewear 100. For example, the patient 170 can conduct an eyeaction, such as: by a combination of blinking and gaze change activity;by use of a keyboard or touch sensor, including a virtual keyboard orvirtual buttons injected into the augmented reality view 630; by movinga finger in a designated area viewable by a camera or motion sensorcoupled to the digital eyewear 100, such as a portion of the augmentedreality view 630, so that the digital eyewear 100 can identify themotion; by touching a physical contact, such as a button, switch, orcapacitive detector; or by otherwise providing an input signal to thedigital eyewear 100.

Patient Self-Care

When the bad/good features are within the patient's control, or at leastwhen they are relatively easily so, the digital eyewear 100 cansimilarly provide an augmented reality view 630 that includes a promptto the patient 170. The prompt can indicate one or more warnings to thepatient 170 of a predicted likelihood/severity of migraine activity orphotophobia effects, or can indicate one or more suggestions regardingactions the patient 170 can take to decrease predictedlikelihood/severity (herein sometimes called “self-care”). Similarly tothe warning or prompt for consent described herein, the warnings orsuggestions can be provided to the patient 170 by injecting a message tothe patient 170 into the augmented reality view 630. Similarly to thepatient 170 granting/denying consent, the patient 170 can inform thedigital eyewear 100 whether the patient 170 follows the suggestedself-care.

When the digital eyewear 100 provides suggestions regarding self-careactions the patient 170 can take, and the patient 170 does take thoseactions, the digital eyewear 100 can reward the patient 170. This canhelp the patient 170 take over a degree of control of migraine activityor photophobia effects, and can help gamify the patient's actions toconduct self-care, as described herein with respect to the step 565.

FIG. 7

FIG. 7 shows a conceptual drawing of a method including using digitaleyewear with augmented and virtual reality.

A method 700 includes flow points and method steps as described herein.

Similar to the method 500, although these flow points and method stepsare described in a particular order, in the context of the inventionthere is no particular requirement for any particular order. Alsosimilar to the method 500, one or more portions of the method 700 aresometimes described as being performed by particular elements of thesystem described with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, or sometimes by “themethod” itself.

The method 700 can perform the functions described with respect to themethod 500 in conjunction with flow points and method steps describedherein.

Beginning of Method

A flow point 700A indicates a beginning of the method.

The digital eyewear 100 (shown in FIG. 1) performs operations formonitoring, detecting, and predicting migraines, for preventingmigraines, for treating migraines, and for training patients to conductself-care with respect to migraines. Similarly, the digital eyewear 100performs operations for monitoring, detecting, and predictingphotophobia effects, for preventing photophobia effects, for treatingphotophobia effects, and for training patients to conduct self-care withrespect to photophobia effects. These operations can be performed inreal-time.

External Reality View

At a flow point 710, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to receive anexternal reality view 620.

At a step 711, the digital eyewear 100 receives an external reality view620, including sense inputs such as audio/video and other senses. Theexternal reality view 620 is responsive to the world as it would beperceived by the patient 170 without the digital eyewear 100.

It can occur that the external reality view 620 is relatively static,such as when the patient 170 is sitting in a quiet room at home.Alternatively, it can occur that the external reality view 620 israpidly changing, such as when the patient 170 is driving an automobile,in which case the external reality view 620 can include a view throughthe windshield.

As described herein, the external reality view 620 can include, or thecontrol system 160 can determine in response thereto, one or morefactors that can be correlated with migraine onset or migraine activity.Similarly, the control system 160 can determine in response thereto, oneor more factors that can be correlated with photophobia effects. Thesefactors can include:

-   -   visual input or light intensity; such as sudden glare, rapidly        flashing bright light, lighting that changes with unstable        frequency;    -   total light intensity, total light intensity in the blue        (approximately 450-490 nm) and ultraviolet (approximately <300        nm) frequency ranges, to total light intensity applied to        selected regions of the retina (such as those portions of the        retina including the cone receptors or the rod receptors), at        least first and second time-derivatives thereof, at least first        and second statistical moments thereof, frequency of modulation,        stability of frequency of modulation;    -   light intensity in selected frequency bands, such as blue and        ultraviolet, total light intensity actually applied to specific        portions of the retina, such as only rods or only cones;    -   light intensity from selected directions, such as peripheral        vision, including side to side and up/down peripheral vision;    -   pupillary diameter, at least first and second time-derivatives        thereof, at least first and second statistical moments thereof,        frequency of modulation thereof, and match between right and        left eye thereof;    -   complexity of an input image, or a rapidity or complexity with        which the input image changes;    -   sound intensity, at least first and second time-derivatives        thereof, at least first and second statistical moments thereof,        frequency of modulation thereof, match between right and left        ear thereof, discordancy thereof;    -   sound intensity in selected frequency bands, at least first and        second time-derivatives thereof, at least first and second        statistical moments thereof, frequency of modulation thereof,        match between right and left ear thereof, discordancy thereof,        and unusual time intervals thereof;    -   patient response to sensory inputs increasing in intensity or        discordancy/complexity.

The method continues with the next flow point.

Correlate Features

At a flow point 720, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to correlatefeatures with patient migraine activity or photophobia effects.

At a step 721, the digital eyewear 100 can receive patient reports ofmigraine onset or migraine activity, or photophobia effects.

As described herein, the digital eyewear's control system 160 candetermine one or more factors that can be correlated with migraine onsetor migraine activity, or photophobia effects. For example, patientreports can be used as an indicator of migraine activity or photophobiaeffects. Patient reports can be received using steps described withrespect to the flow point 740.

At a step 722, the digital eyewear 100 can determine factors that arecorrelated with migraine onset or migraine activity, or photophobiaeffects. As part of this step, for example, the digital eyewear 100 canuse techniques described with respect to the step 533, such as adaptivesensors and machine learning.

The method continues with the next flow point.

Augmented Reality View

At a flow point 730, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to present anaugmented reality view 630.

At a step 731, the digital eyewear 100 determines an adjustment to theexternal reality view 620 desired to decrease the likelihood/severity ofa patient migraine or a photophobia effect.

At a step 732, the digital eyewear 100 adjusts the external reality view620 by decreasing bad factors or increasing good factors. As part ofthis step, decreasing bad factors can include shading/inverse-shadingthem so that they have less intensity. As part of this step, increasinggood factors can include shading/inverse-shading them so that they havegreater intensity, and can include injecting them so they have greaterintensity.

For example, as described herein, shading/inverse-shading can beperformed by adjusting the lenses response to color or to monochromelight intensity. The shading/inverse-shading can be performed withrespect to particular frequencies, such as blue light or ultravioletlight. The shading/inverse-shading can also be performed with respect toparticular directions from which the light is infalling, such as lightdirected at areas of the patient's retina, at the patient's rods/codes,or the patient's peripheral vision.

For another example, the digital eyewear 100 can inject visual calmingelements, such as light in the green (approximately 520-560 nm)frequency range.

For another example, the digital eyewear 100 can adjust the total lightreaching the retina so that the eye operates in a mesopic vision mode.

For another example, the digital eyewear 100 can adjust the total soundreaching the patient's ears, or can adjust sound in selected frequencybands, or can inject sound in selected frequency bands.

The method continues with the next flow point.

Communicate with Patient

At a flow point 740, the digital eyewear 100 is ready to exchange one ormore messages to the patient 170, using the augmented reality view 630.

At a step 741, the digital eyewear 100 can receive one or more messagesfrom the patient 170, such as detecting patient actions, such as one ormore of:

-   -   pressing, touching, or bringing a body part (such as a finger)        near, an input device;    -   moving a body part (such as a hand or finger) in a camera view        of the digital eyewear 100, such as typing on a virtual keyboard        presented in the augmented reality view 630, gestures by a hand        or other body part;    -   receiving a message (such as a SMS or MMS message, a wi-fi        packet, an internet packet, an email message) from a mobile        device, such as a smartphone;    -   eye blinks, eye gaze, eye gaze change (such as eye gaze change        from right to left, left to right, up to down, down to up), eye        focus change (such as distant to near, near to distant), or        combinations thereof;    -   voice commands by the patient 170.

As described herein, patient input can be patient-initiated or can be inresponse to a request from the digital eyewear 100.

At a step 742, the digital eyewear 100 can send one or more messages tothe patient, such as injecting the message into the augmented realityview 630. The digital eyewear 100 can inject messages into the augmentedreality view 630 by shading/inverse-shading one or more pixels in thefield of view in the augmented reality view 630, such as:

-   -   shading/inverse-shading pixels in the augmented reality view 630        to form text, emoticons, other icons, other pictures;    -   moving a text or picture message so that it is within gaze        direction and focus for the patient 170;    -   adjusting a text or picture message so that it attracts        attention, such as by blinking, scrolling, or otherwise;    -   injecting bells, whistles, buzzers, or other sounds into the        audio presented to the patient 170;    -   injecting voice messages into the audio presented to the patient        170;    -   injecting other sensory inputs to the patient 170, such as        haptic inputs (vibration or otherwise), electrical stimulation,        smell, water mist (such as applied to the eyes), or otherwise.

The digital eyewear 100 can repeat the steps 741 and 742 until thecontrol element 160 determines that sufficient information has beenexchanged with the patient 170.

End of Method

At a flow point 700B, the method 700 is finished, and ready to bere-performed.

Alternative Embodiments

After reading this application, those skilled in the art would recognizethat techniques shown in this application are applicable to more thanjust the specific embodiments shown herein. For example, the concept ofcare and prevention, as described herein with respect to migraines, isintended to be broad. It can easily be extended to other types ofchronic or recurrent concerns, including stress headaches,gastroenterological reflux (GERD), psychological anxiety, and othermedical and non-medical conditions.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, including variations thereof,still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the enclosed detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments, which are capable of modifications in variousaspects, all without departing from their scope or spirit. The drawingsand detailed description are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.The claims are hereby incorporated by reference.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Eyewear, including a lens; and dynamic eyetracking circuitry coupled to the lens, the dynamic eye trackingcircuitry disposed, in response to optical parameter measurements,wherein the optical parameter measurements include one or more of:ciliary measurements, pupil measurements, corneal measurements, eye lensmeasurements, iris measurements, eye lid measurements, retinameasurements, to effect shading or inverse shading; wherein shading orinverse shading is utilized to perform, for migraines or photophobia,one or more of: monitoring, detection, prediction, prevention,measurement, treatment, amelioration, or training self-care; and whereinthe eyewear predicts migraines or photophobia activity based on a firstvalue describing a set of correlations between patient sensors andambient sensors and a second value describing likelihood of migraines orphotophobia activity.
 2. Eyewear as in claim 1, wherein the shading orinverse shading is utilized when viewing one or more of: anadvertisement, an external device display, an informational message, aselected person, a selected physical sign, a surface having glare, anultraviolet source.
 3. Eyewear as in claim 2, wherein the externaldevice display includes one or more of: a smartphone, personal computer,laptop, desktop or portable device.
 4. Eyewear as in claim 1, whereinthe shading or inverse shading is utilized with a polarizing filter. 5.Eyewear as in claim 1, wherein translucency shading is utilized withreading material.
 6. Eyewear as in claim 1, wherein the shading orinverse shading is performed in real time with respect to one or moreof: an external sensory input, a patient migraine or photophobia effect.7. Eyewear as in claim 1, wherein the shading or inverse shading isutilized with object recognition to adjust a sensory input to a patient;wherein the adjusted sensory input is less likely than the unadjustedsensory input to induce a patient migraine or photophobia effect. 8.Eyewear as in claim 1, wherein a set of parameters is maintained;wherein shading or inverse shading is utilized in response to theparameters, the parameters being correlated with one or more of: alikelihood of the patient currently being subject to amigraine/photophobia effect, or severity thereof; a likelihood of thepatient being subject to a migraine/photophobia effect in a near future;a likelihood of a treatment being successful at reducing amigraine/photophobia effect in a near future; a likelihood of aself-care action with respect to a migraine/photophobia effect beingconducted by a patient; a likelihood of a self-care action with respectto a migraine/photophobia effect, if conducted by a patient, beingsuccessful; a likelihood of a patient repeating a particular self-careaction with respect to a migraine/photophobia effect.
 9. Eyewear as inclaim 8, wherein the parameters are responsive to one or more of: anambient sensor of the ambient sensors, a patient sensor of the patientsensors, an external sensory input, a patient input, a logically remotedevice, medical personnel, a history of the parameters.
 10. Eyewear asin claim 1, wherein the shading or inverse shading is utilized inresponse to one or more patient conditions and a correlation betweenthose patient conditions and a patient migraine or photophobia effect.11. Eyewear as in claim 10, wherein the patient conditions aredetermined in response to one or more of: ambient sensors, externalimage input, patient eye activity or other patient sensors, patientinput.
 12. Eyewear as in claim 10, wherein the correlation is determinedin response to one or more of: a set of evaluation parameters, a set ofinformation indicating medical correlations with respect to patientmigraine or photophobia effects.
 13. Eyewear as in claim 12, wherein themedical correlations include historic correlations between two or moreof: patient conditions, ambient conditions, likelihood of patientmigraines or patient photophobia effects, measures of patient migrainesor patient photophobia effects, patient self-care.
 14. Eyewear,including a lens; and a dynamic eye tracking mechanism coupled to thelens; wherein the dynamic eye tracking mechanism utilizes opticalparameter measurements; wherein the optical parameter measurementsinclude any of ciliary measurements, corneal measurements, eye lensmeasurements, iris measurements, eye lid measurements, retinameasurements; wherein, responsive to the dynamic eye tracking mechanismand the optical parameter measurements, the eyewear performs proceduresfor migraine s or photophobia, the procedures including one or more of:monitoring, detection, prediction, prevention, measurement, treatment,amelioration, or training self-care; wherein an image viewable using thelens is responsive to the procedures for migraines or photophobia; andwherein the eyewear predicts migraines or photophobia activity based ona first value describing a set of correlations between patient sensorsand ambient sensors and a second value describing likelihood ofmigraines or photophobia activity.
 15. Eyewear as in claim 14, whereinthe image provides for viewing one or more of: an advertisement, anexternal device display, an informational message, a selected person, aselected physical sign, a surface having glare, an ultraviolet source.16. Eyewear as in claim 15, wherein the external device display includesone or more of: a smartphone, personal computer, laptop, desktop orportable device.
 17. Eyewear as in claim 15, wherein the image isprovided in real time with respect to one or more of: an externalsensory input, a patient migraine or photophobia effect.
 18. Eyewear asin claim 15, wherein the image is responsive to one or more of: anexternal sensory input, a patient condition measurement, a patientinput, a set of evaluation parameters with respect to patient migraineor photophobia effects, a set of information indicating medicalcorrelations with respect to patient migraine or photophobia effects.19. Eyewear as in claim 15, wherein the image is utilized with objectrecognition to adjust a sensory input to a patient; wherein the adjustedsensory input is less likely than the unadjusted sensory input to induceor maintain a patient migraine or photophobia effect.
 20. Eyewear as inclaim 15, wherein the procedures include one or more of: exchanginginformation with a remote data repository or a remote treatment server,requesting assistance or sending a message to: medical personnel oremergency responders.
 21. Eyewear as in claim 15, wherein a set ofparameters is maintained; wherein shading or inverse shading is utilizedin response to the parameters, the parameters being correlated with oneor more of: a likelihood of the patient currently being subject to amigraine/photophobia effect, or severity thereof; a likelihood of thepatient being subject to a migraine/photophobia effect in a near future;a likelihood of a treatment being successful at reducing amigraine/photophobia effect in a near future; a likelihood of aself-care action with respect to a migraine/photophobia effect beingconducted by a patient; a likelihood of a self-care action with respectto a migraine/photophobia effect, if conducted by a patient, beingsuccessful; a likelihood of a patient repeating a particular self-careaction with respect to a migraine/photophobia effect.
 22. Eyewear as inclaim 21, wherein the parameters are responsive to one or more of: anambient sensor of the ambient sensors, a patient sensor of the patientsensors, an external sensory input, a patient input, a logically remotedevice, medical personnel, a history of the parameters.
 23. Eyewear asin claim 15, wherein the image includes one or more of: lesser lightintensity, lesser electromagnetic intensity for selected frequencies,lesser glare, lesser likelihood of triggering a patient migraine orpatient photophobia effect, lesser medical correlation with a patientmigraine or patient photophobia effect, or a message with respect topatient self-care.
 24. Eyewear as in claim 23, wherein the image isperiodically adjusted in response to one or more of: a new externalsensory input, a new patient condition measurement, a new patient input,a new set of evaluation parameters with respect to patient migraine orphotophobia effects, a new set of information indicating medicalcorrelations with respect to patient migraine or photophobia effects, tomaintain, with respect to the new external sensory input, lesser lightintensity, lesser electromagnetic intensity for selected frequencies,lesser glare, lesser likelihood of triggering a patient migraine orpatient photophobia effect, lesser medical correlation with a patientmigraine or patient photophobia effect, or a new message with respect topatient self-care.
 25. Eyewear as in claim 15, wherein the image isutilized in response to one or more patient conditions and a correlationbetween those patient conditions and a patient migraine or photophobiaeffect.
 26. Eyewear as in claim 25, wherein the patient conditions aredetermined in response to one or more of: ambient sensors, externalimage input, patient eye activity or other patient sensors, patientinput.
 27. Eyewear as in claim 25, wherein the correlation is determinedin response to one or more of: a set of evaluation parameters, a set ofinformation indicating medical correlations with respect to patientmigraine or photophobia effects.
 28. Eyewear as in claim 27, wherein themedical correlations include historic correlations between two or moreof: patient conditions, ambient conditions, likelihood of patientmigraines or patient photophobia effects, measures of patient migrainesor patient photophobia effects, patient self-care.
 29. Eyewear,including a lens, a dynamic eye tracking mechanism coupled to the lens;wherein the dynamic eye tracking mechanism utilizes optical parametermeasurements; wherein the optical parameter measurements include any ofciliary measurements, corneal measurements, eye lens measurements, irismeasurements, eye lid measurements, retina measurements; wherein shadingor inverse shading is utilized based upon the dynamic eye trackingmechanism and the optical parameter measurements; wherein shading orinverse shading is utilized to perform, for migraines or photophobia,one or more of: monitoring, detection, prediction, prevention,measurement, treatment, amelioration, or training self-care; and whereinthe eyewear predicts migraines or photophobia activity based on a firstvalue describing a set of correlations between patient sensors andambient sensors and a second value describing likelihood of migraines orphotophobia activity.
 30. Eyewear as in claim 29, wherein the shading orinverse shading is utilized with object recognition to adjust a sensoryinput to a patient; wherein the adjusted sensory input is less likelythan the unadjusted sensory input to induce a patient migraine orphotophobia effect.